Nicolo Bulega will become the 10th WorldSBK champion to race full-time in MotoGP’s premier class when he joins in 2027.
The Italian secured his first WorldSBK title at Cremona on Sunday, just weeks after his move to the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team was confirmed.
Bulega will partner Fermin Aldeguer at VR46 next season as MotoGP enters a new era with 850cc engines and Pirelli tyres.
The move marks a return to familiar territory for the 26-year-old, who spent several seasons in Moto3 and Moto2 before leaving the Grand Prix paddock at the end of 2021.
He rebuilt his career with Ducati, winning the WorldSSP title in 2023 before stepping up to WorldSBK.
Bulega has also gained experience on MotoGP machinery, making two appearances for Ducati while deputising for the injured Marc Marquez in 2025 and helping develop the manufacturer’s 2027 bike.
He will not be the only WorldSBK champion on the 2027 MotoGP grid as three-time winner Toprak Razgatlioglu will enter his second season with Pramac Yamaha.
It will be the first time since 2012 that at least two WorldSBK champions have raced together in MotoGP, when Colin Edwards and Ben Spies competed for NGM Mobile Forward Racing and Yamaha Factory Racing respectively.
View this post on Instagram
Scott Russell was the first WorldSBK champion to later race full-time in the premier class, moving to the 500cc World Championship in 1995, two years after winning the Superbike title.
Troy Corser and John Kocinski followed shortly, while Troy Bayliss, Neil Hodgson and James Toseland were among those to make the move during the 2000s.
There were also riders such as Alvaro Bautista and Sylvain Guintoli making wildcard or replacement appearances in MotoGP after their WorldSBK triumphs, but they did not return to the premier class full-time.
Meanwhile, Bulega still has unfinished business in WorldSBK, with two rounds remaining in Portugal and Spain before he turns his attention to MotoGP.
Having won 26 races this season, he has the chance to surpass Bautista’s record of 27 victories in a single WorldSBK campaign.
Motorsport fans can watch MotoGP and WorldSBK live on SPOTV NOW.
View this post on Instagram
| Rider | WorldSBK Championship(s) | Full-Time MotoGP Premier-Class Career |
|---|---|---|
| Scott Russell | 1993 | 1995-96 (500cc) |
| Troy Corser | 1996, 2005 | 1997 (500cc) |
| John Kocinski | 1997 | 1991-94, 1998-99 (500cc) |
| Troy Bayliss | 2001, 2006, 2008 | 2003-05 |
| Colin Edwards | 2000, 2002 | 2003-14 |
| Neil Hodgson | 2003 | 2004 |
| James Toseland | 2004, 2007 | 2008-09 |
| Ben Spies | 2009 | 2010-12 |
| Toprak Razgatlioglu | 2021, 2024, 2025 | 2026-27 |
| Nicolo Bulega | 2026 | 2027 |
