WorldSBK: Nicolo Bulega signs 2026 contract extension with Ducati and also becomes a MotoGP test rider

Nicolo Bulega has signed a one-year extension deal to remain with the Aruba.it Racing Ducati team in the World Superbike Championship next season.

The Italian has made a brilliant start to his 2025 WorldSBK campaign and leads the championship by 31 points after winning eight of the opening 15 races. This includes trebles at Phillip Island and Cremona, whilst Bulega would have likely achieved the same at Assen had he not suffered two technical problems.

Bulega first joined Ducati in the World Supersport Championship after three difficult campaigns in Moto2. The Italian won the title in 2023 after accumulating an astonishing 503 points with 16 race wins and 21 podiums.

Bulega made an instant impact in the Superbike class and finished second to Toprak Razgatlioglu last season. He beat established teammate Alvaro Bautista on a regular basis and ended his maiden campaign with six victories and 24 podiums.

“I am thrilled to continue my career with Aruba.it Racing – Ducati,” Bulega said. “I have been with this team for four years now, and I cannot emphasise enough the strong bond we’ve created. We have achieved important results, so continuing this project fills me with satisfaction and pride.

“I want to thank Aruba and Ducati for trusting me since the first day of our new adventure in Supersport. The goal is to achieve even more satisfaction. Extending our future together is an important step in allowing us to focus even more deeply on this season”

It’s also been confirmed that Bulega will also become an official Ducati Corse MotoGP test rider in 2026 and will work alongside Michele Pirro. It’s here where things become even more interesting for Bulega, who will be testing the all-new 850cc Desmosedici ahead of the new regulations in 2027.

The new regulations will see ride height and holeshot devices banned from the championship, whilst aerodynamic packages will also be tightly controlled. MotoGP also switches to Pirelli tyres, which Bulega is accustomed to using in WorldSBK.

All being well for the remainder of 2025 and 2026, Bulega could find himself back in the MotoGP paddock in 2027 with an official Ducati contract.

‘Nicolò represents a winning bet for the Ducati Corse project,” Ducati Corse General Manager, Gigi Dall’lgna said. “We started our journey in 2022 in Supersport to make him competitive in the higher class, riding the Panigale V4R. In his rookie year in WorldSBK, he impressed everyone, showing his potential and talent as a rider.

“We are happy to confirm that he will remain with Aruba.it Racing also in the next season. We are confident that he is a rider capable of opening up many paths, but the only one that matters right now is the one that leads to the Superbike World Championship title. This must be the only goal to focus on now. Then we will see what the future holds.”

It’s believed that Bulega will have a new teammate next season, with reports in Italy suggesting that Ducati will not retain Bautista in 2026.