Valentino Rossi given warning over likely VR46 MotoGP signing

Rossi’s VR46 Racing are one of the only teams yet to name their 2027 rider line-up, but paddock sources are almost certain on who they’ll be.

Fermin Aldeguer has long been tipped to arrive from Gresini by multiple sources, while Ducati’s CEO has talked up the signing of Nicolo Bulega.

The Italian rider himself has also suggested he’ll soon be making a MotoGP return, having completely obliterated the World Superbike field this season.

Bulega has won an astonishing 23 out of 24 races in WorldSBK this season, making him a natural fit for Rossi's team, having also come through the VR46 Riders Academy.

Only four rounds remain in WorldSBK, and while Bulega looks set to clinch the title with a massive 133-point lead, Ducati teammate Iker Lecuona is still mathematically in the running.

For some, Ducati's dominance, is evidence that Bulega’s transition may not be as straightforward as everyone is thinking.

According to SBK rival and compatriot Andrea Locatelli, Bulega may not be having such a renaissance if he wasn’t on the red bike.

“Who knows? We'd have to see it,” he responded to a Motosprint question about Bulega winning on his Yamaha.

However, Locatelli then gave a big caveat, pointing at the last man to transition from SBK to MotoGP.

Turkish talent Toprak Razgatlioglu has made the switch and is impressing at Pramac, and Locatelli thinks Bulega has similar tools at his disposal.

He continued: “That's my opinion, but be careful: Bulega is comparable to Toprak Razgatlioglu, a guy who's demonstrating some interesting things on the M1 in MotoGP and, for my part, the strongest teammate I've ever had.