Valentino Rossi given warning over likely VR46 MotoGP signing
Rossi's father penned a letter to his children (Credit: Apex Agency)
Connor Andrews is Formula 1 and MotoGP writer for GPblog and various outlets. Having worked in motorsport for 15 years for leading companies, he has interviewed the sports biggest names and attended multiple Grands Prix.
Valentino Rossi’s upcoming MotoGP hire has received mixed reviews from one of his rivals.
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.
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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.
Bulega's SBK dominance doesn't guarantee MotoGP success (Photo: Ducati Media House)
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Valentino Rossi's expected signing questioned despite WorldSBK dominance
“Who knows? We'd have to see it,” he responded to a Motosprint question about Bulega winning on his Yamaha.
“Perhaps the opportunity to go to MotoGP wouldn't have opened up for him. I don't think he'd put the R1 up front or win like he does now on the Ducati. So, he wouldn't be attractive to the premier class.”
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.
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Rossi target earns comparison with MotoGP's latest WorldSBK convert
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.
“Nicolo fought for the world championship against Razgatlioglu until Jerez 2025, we know how that went.
“We're talking about two super strong riders who, if they didn't have the right package, would still stand out. Success, however, is a different story."
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