WorldSBK champion in waiting escapes major injury after Ducati 850cc crash

WorldSBK champion in waiting, Nicolo Bulega, has reportedly escaped major injury after suffering a crash during an 850cc MotoGP test this week.

Bulega, who has been at the forefront of Ducati’s 850cc MotoGP development in 2026, was taking part in a two-day test at Mugello when he came off his machine at one of the fastest sections of the track.

According to GPOne, Bulega suffered a nasty highside at the Arrabbiata 2 corner which is part of a double right-hander. 

That section of track has caused many MotoGP riders to crash in the past, which now includes the soon-to-be VR46 rider.

Bulega’s crash happened at around midday on Wednesday, before he was taken to a local hospital for a check-up. 

No fractures were reported, while Bulega has since been discharged from hospital and is set to continue his recovery ahead of next weekend’s Cremona WorldSBK round.

Bulega is likely to move from the World Superbike Championship to MotoGP as the 2026 world champion, as the Italian holds a 146-point lead over team-mate Iker Lecuona with just three rounds remaining. 

Bulega will then partner Fermin Aldeguer at VR46 for the first season of MotoGP’s new 850cc era, which will also include a switch from Michelin to Pirelli rubber.

But unlike most of the riders on the current grid, or the Moto2 rookies that will be joining the championship, Bulega is expected to arrive with more experience than anyone else with the new 850cc machines.

Bulega’s first appearance as a full-time MotoGP rider will take place at the end-of-season test in Valencia, in November.

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