Toprak Razgatlioglu has thrown his weight behind Nicolo Bulega's expected step up to MotoGP, backing his old World Superbike rival to deliver "very special results" if Ducati commits to him for 2027.
Bulega, who currently leads WorldSBK after a remarkable run of 22 consecutive wins, has long been linked with a premier-class graduation. Italian media now report his switch to the VR46 Ducati squad for 2027 is done, returning the 26-year-old to the orbit of Valentino Rossi's academy that helped raise him.
Razgatlioglu, who moved up to MotoGP himself, has no doubts about whether Bulega belongs there.
"I think Bulega deserves to be in MotoGP, because he's a really fast rider," he said at Mugello. "If Ducati bring him here, I think he can do very special results - this is my opinion."
The Turk argued that Bulega's style and background make Ducati the natural fit. "He's still young. 26. I think his riding style is like MotoGP," he said. "It's better with Ducati, because he's grown up with Ducati. I hope Ducati keep him and bring him to MotoGP."
"Nicolo is not the first choice - otherwise he would already be signed," Martinelli said in April. "As of today, we don't have a written offer."
Ducati's hesitation has been visible in the small decisions as well as the big ones. When Gresini needed an injury stand-in for the Hungarian round, the call went to Iker Lecuona rather than Bulega. Part of that was timing - Bulega had WorldSBK commitments at Aragon - but there was also little reason to hand him extra mileage. He has already sampled the manufacturer's 2027 machinery, lapping Mugello on the 850cc prototype during a private test, and Ducati saw no need to give him further 1000cc running on Michelin tyres.
Lecuona's selection doubled as recognition of a driver who has finished runner-up to Bulega in a string of WorldSBK races, underlining how strong the Ducati superbike production line has become.
For Bulega, the puzzle is straightforward in one sense and complicated in another. His results are not in question; the championship leader has been the dominant force in production-based racing. What he has lacked is a guaranteed seat and the clear preference of the factory whose bike he knows best.
Razgatlioglu's public push may help nudge that along. The pair shared some of the most memorable last-lap duels in recent WorldSBK history, and the three-time champion clearly rates the man who has inherited his throne. If the reported VR46 deal holds, Bulega will finally get the chance to prove Razgatlioglu right - and to test whether a superbike king can translate his dominance to MotoGP machinery.
---
*Originally published on [Motorsports Global](https://motorsports.global/article/toprak-backs-bulega-for-motogp-as-ducati-doubts-linger). Visit for full coverage.*
