Neil Hodgson column: Francesco Bagnaia will be looking over his shoulder ahead of Nicolo Bulega cameo for Ducati Lenovo at Portugal Grand Prix
By Neil Hodgson
Updated 16/01/2026 at 14:03 GMT
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TNT Sports pundit Neil Hodgson analyses the chances of Nicolo Bulega this weekend as he prepares for his two-race outing for Ducati Lenovo, with the first involvement being at the Portugal Grand Prix. Hodgson thinks the World Superbikes champion may find it tough going to adjust, but suggests that some more experienced riders may be concerned that they do not let him finish ahead of them.
Highlights: Marquez claims victory at Grand Prix Malaysia as Bagnaia suffers retirement blow
Video credit: TNT Sports
Neil Hodgson is providing expert insight to TNT Sports throughout the MotoGP season.
In his latest column, he shares his thoughts on Nicolo Bulega's two-week outing for Ducati Lenovo in the absence of Marc Marquez.
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The MotoGP championship is sewn up, second spot is decided, so is the rookie of the year and the constructors’ championship. What can we look to for entertainment this weekend? I think Nicolo Bulega replacing Marc Marquez is really exciting. It’s going to be well worth watching to see how it pans out.
Buelga clearly has talent. I think his record in World Superbikes is as good as anyone's. I don’t know if anyone comes as close to his win percentage, or even his podium percentage.
He has only been in Superbikes for two years, but he’s been really, really impressive, and it’s all built on good foundations.
It’s quite interesting to see his success, and he backs up my theory that there is no one-size-fits-all path to success for riders.
Remember, Bulega started his career in earnest as the Junior World Champion, and then he ended up riding for a really good team in Moto3 - Valentino Rossi’s team. It just didn’t quite work out for him then, so he moved into Moto2, and again, it just didn’t work out for him.
At that point, he was almost cast aside. People decided he wasn’t good enough, and he had to leave the Grand Prix paddock. He was classed as not good enough.
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But what he showed with the World Superbikes is that, for a rider, half the battle is confidence. He’s rebuilt his career and rebuilt his confidence at the same time. It’s true of every sport, but in motorcycling it’s even more crucial.
That’s because it’s so dangerous to ride when you’re not sure of yourself. He has had to rebuild himself and learn to trust himself on the bike, and it means he’s been able to show all of his ability, and if he can take that into the next two weeks, I believe he’ll show himself to be a really good MotoGP rider.
Bulega should target Chantra
The question ahead for him now is who should he beat? When you ask that question and really consider it, it shows just how difficult the task ahead of him is this weekend in Portugal, and then in Spain. He’s coming up against the best riders in the world, and his preparation is 30 laps on a MotoGP bike. That’s a fact, that’s all he’s got to go on so far.
He has turned up, and everything is different from what he really knows. The way the chassis feels, the frame, the way the ride-height devices work. The tyres are from a different manufacturer entirely, which makes the feel of the bike completely different. You’ve got more power, but you also have more stopping power with carbon brakes.
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Highlights: Victorious Bagnaia dominates Grand Prix Malaysia Sprint race
Video credit: TNT Sports
Taking all that into account, you’d really have to think he’ll be last. It’s so much to take on. If he isn’t last, that’s an incredible feat in itself. Perhaps he could beat Somkiat Chantra, who has been the worst performing rider this season, but Chantra has a year’s experience. He was a very good Moto2 rider. He’s just slightly out of his depth in this class, so it’s not an easy thing to do.
The way to judge Bulega in these two weeks is to see how much he improves from his performance on Friday in Portugal, to his final race day at Valencia in Spain. The Ducati Lenovo bosses will be looking at his data for the next two race weekends.
They will be looking at how much he can cut the gap between him and the fastest rider in front of him. If he ends up a second a lap off the pace, he’ll have done an incredible job. If he starts three seconds a lap off, that would be incredible. But I think he’s a wonderful talent and deserves a MotoGP ride full time.
MotoGP riders can't afford to lose to Bulega
Any rider that gets beaten by Beluga this weekend will have to feel really embarrassed. If he beats three or four riders, they will have to have a serious look at themselves. That could happen. He could beat a few riders, because the Ducati package is a great one to be on.
What will be interesting is to see if he is a big risk taker. Basically he is going to have to cut some corners to get to potentially within a second of the fastest riders. I don’t know if he’s a naturally aggressive rider who is willing to gamble, or if he’s more methodical, and that’s what we will find out.
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Highlights: Fernandez storms to maiden win at Grand Prix Australia
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Marquez will want Bulega success - but Bagnaia may be worried
Marquez will have no concerns here about Bulega. When you’re as good as Marquez is, and you’re a nine-time world champion, that man has so much confidence. He’s that confident that Marquez will do everything in his power to help him, because he knows he’s better than Bulega. What Marquez will want is for him to do well and beat other Ducati riders - he’ll love that. He’ll be willing to help him with anything.
For Pecco Bagnaia, it might be a bit different. In theory, if you’re Pecco and you have that talent, despite his difficult year, he shouldn’t even be thinking about Bulega. But you can’t help but think he might have some worries at the back of his mind. He might be thinking, ‘I could do without Bulega really impressing here.’ That’s just human nature. He won’t want to see him battling in the top 10. If he does, his stock value would go through the roof.
I think he’s set for a satellite ride in a year’s time. He’s going to dominate Superbikes again in 2026, and he’s still young enough. Next year he’ll be doing all the testing on the new Ducati package, so he’ll already have a lot of data and a lot of experience. He’ll be a wanted man.
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'Unbelievable drama' as Razgatlioglu crashes out of Superpole after clash with title rival Bulega
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Marquez, Bagnaia and Bezzecchi target Portimao victory
This is one of the best tracks of the year. Portimao is special, it’s like nowhere else. It’s a cliche, but it’s a rollercoaster of a track, with the elevation. It’s a bit special. The riders love it here.
Alex Marquez always does well, as does Pecco Bagnaia - but we don’t know which Pecco will show up this weekend - and Marco Bezzecchi does too. All three of them will fancy their chances. It’s a tough one to call.
The track is unique, so the rider really does make a difference around here. It’s like Phillip Island in Australia. It’s not a routine, point-and-squirt track. If a rider is confident around a crazy track like this, then they can make a real impact on their lap time.
Watch and stream every race of the 2025 MotoGP season live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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