Trackhouse target: Aprilia Director urges Nicolo Bulega to swap Ducati for new ride

Nicolo Bulega has been recently linked with a move to Trackhouse, where there’s at least one open seat following Ai Ogura’s switch to Yamaha. Davide Brivio, who runs the team, has shown interest in the Italian rider, and now it seems Aprilia technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini is also in favour of the idea.

Both Ogura and Raul Fernandez are under contract with Trackhouse directly, but Aprilia could still have a say in who ends up riding their RS-GP bikes for the satellite squad next year.

Aprilia already have an all-Italian line-up with Francesco Bagnaia and Marco Bezzecchi, so bringing in another high-profile Italian like Bulega fits nicely into their plans.

Bulega isn’t the only name being discussed for Trackhouse. Joan Mir has also been linked to one of the seats, which means there will be plenty of competition for those two available spots.

The six Ducati MotoGP riders for 2027, according to rumours

Ducati are widely expected to pair Pedro Acosta with Marc Marquez next year, while Bagnaia heads off in the opposite direction towards Aprilia.

Despite some early doubts about their futures with Ducati, both Gresini and VR46 are expected to renew their partnerships. Fermin Aldeguer is set to join VR46 from Gresini as part of a switch involving Albert Arenas going in the opposite direction.

Aldeguer will take up one seat at VR46, while Fabio Di Giannantonio looks likely to retain his place. That would leave Franco Morbidelli on the outside looking in. At Gresini, Alex Marquez’s rumoured switch away from KTM should open up space for Enea Bastianini and Dani Holgado from Moto2. There does not appear to be any space remaining for Bulega on the roster.