WITH Mark Marquez unlikely to return to the Portuguese Grand Prix in three weeks, Ducati is considering giving its World Superbike Championship rider Nicolo Bulega a chance in MotoGP.
Bulega signed a two-season contract with Ducati in May this year as a WSBK rider and MotoGP tester, using his experience with the Pirelli tires that will be introduced to the premier class in 2027.
With the superbike season ending this weekend in Jerez, where everything points to the title going to Bulega's rival Toprak Razgatlioglu, Bulega will not have any major commitments in November.
Considering this situation, as well as the statement of MotoGP doctor Angel Chart, Marquez will find it 'very difficult' to return to PortugalSpeculation that the Bulega could become an alternative to Ducati has intensified.
Speaking to DAZN: Team Ducati Manager Davide Tardozzi said on Friday that the nine-time world champion would almost certainly not be at Portimao and that “we would like to have him in Valencia for the last race of the year, but he first has to undergo a medical examination before we can determine whether that is possible. If he ends up not being able to be there, that's fine.”
This means Ducati is OK with Marquez not returning to a MotoGP bike until the Sepang test in February 2026.
Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
Photo: Robertus Pudianto/Getty Images
Regarding rumors that Bulega will replace Marquez at Portimao, Tardozzi admitted that “it is possible. Nicolo is in Jerez this weekend fighting for the SBK World title; he must not be distracted from this goal. After that we will explore the possibility of him making his MotoGP debut in Portimao.
Tardozzi declined to comment on whether Ducati would organize a test day for Bulega ahead of a potential debut, as it was also unclear whether this would be mandatory. “That would be useful, we will evaluate it after the weekend in Jerez.”
Marquez suffered a broken right shoulder when he was knocked out by Aprilia. Marco Bezzecchi on the first lap of the Indonesian Grand Prix.
After the race he flew back to Spain and has since undergone surgery on his broken shoulder.
Ducati has already announced that Marquez will miss the Australia-Malaysia doubleheader to recover from injury.
His test rider Michelle Pirro has only been confirmed for this weekend's Australian Grand Prix and is also expected to be on duty in Malaysia on October 25-26.
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