One half of the 2025 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship’s marquee title rivalry, Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) has put pen to paper in an agreement with the Ducati factory team which will see the Italian sophomore star renew his contract for another year. After an impressive rookie campaign in 2024, and taking a massive step forward in 2025, the #11 has put pen to paper on a new deal which means he’ll race for the Bologna-based manufacturer in 2026.

WORLD SUPERSPORT SUCCESS: two seasons, one title, numerous records

Bulega made his first appearance inside the WorldSBK paddock in 2022 as a rookie with the Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team on the Ducati Panigale V2. ‘Bulegas’ took nine podiums in his rookie season but it was 2023 where he really pushed on, claiming an impressive 21 podiums in 24 races, including 16 wins, as he claimed the world title – Ducati’s first in WorldSSP.

BREAKOUT STAR: Bulega’s 2024 meteoric rise of a rookie season

After making the jump up from WorldSSP after being crowned Champion in 2023, Bulega was lauded as a highly talented rookie who would be joining WorldSBK. Winning his first ever WorldSBK race at Phillip Island’s season-opener, it was instantly made clear that Bulega was much more polished than just a rookie with potential as some thought. The #11 was already showing the composure and precision of a veteran rider, and from there, Bulega became the only rider in 2024 who gave ‘El Turco’ a run for his money in the Riders’ Championship fight. In total, Bulega took six wins in his debut season, securing second place in the standings.

A PLAY FOR THE CROWN: Bulega looks to supplant Razgatlioglu as WorldSBK Champion in 2025

With another year of experience under his belt, and more familiarity with the WorldSBK competition, Bulega has hit the ground running in 2025, leaving the rest of the grid playing catch-up after a strong start to the campaign. Five rounds in, Bulega has recorded two hat-tricks already, in Australia and at Cremona on home soil, while he also beat Razgatlioglu at Most in an epic last-lap duel; a circuit the Turkish rider has won 10 times at. Bulega currently holds a 34-point lead at the top of the standings and a 2026 renewal means his future is one less thing to worry about as he goes in search of a first WorldSBK crown. He will also be a test rider for Ducati and the Desmosedici GP, supporting Michele Pirro.

BULEGA ON THE RENEWAL: “Extending our future together is an important step in allowing us to focus even more deeply on this season”

Reacting to the news of his renewal, Bulega stated: “I am thrilled to continue my career with Aruba.it Racing - Ducati. I have been with this team for four years now, and I cannot emphasise enough the strong bond that we've created from the beginning. 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 WorldSSP. 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”

CECCONI SAYS: “We’re heading in the right direction, and I hope that defining the near future will give us the opportunity to focus all our energy on the current season”

Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Team Principal, Stefano Cecconi, added: “It's satisfying to look back on the journey we've taken together with Nicolo over the years because, even though we knew his talent and our potential, you can never take it for granted that you'll be able to create the right chemistry between rider, bike and team. Only when conditions are in place, can you aim high in difficult Championships with such tough opponents to beat. We are heading in the right direction, and I hope that defining the near future will give us further peace of mind and the opportunity to focus all our energy on the current season, where we have everything we need to do well.”

DUCATI’S VIEW: “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 WorldSBK title”

Speaking from Ducati’s side, Gigi Dall’Igna, Ducati Corse General Manager, said: “Nicolo represents a winning bet for the Ducati Corse project. We started our journey in 2022 in WorldSSP 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 WorldSBK title. This must be the only goal to focus on now. Then we will see what the future holds.”
 

HALF OF THE EQUATION: With Bulega’s future clear, now the next question for Ducati is that of Alvaro Bautista

The future of one half of the Ducati factory tandem now being clear, the focus now shifts to the other side of the box and Alvaro Bautista. The two-time World Champion, tied with Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) for WorldSBK wins on 63, has not yet had his future confirmed although he stated at Most that his intention was to keep racing in 2026.

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