Explained: Why Marc Marquez’s replacement at Ducati could come from World Superbikes and could be title-hopeful Nicolo Bulega
Updated 07/10/2025 at 13:42 GMT+1
React to this story
There are four rounds left of the 2025 MotoGP season and with the riders' and constructors' titles wrapped up, the big question for Ducati is who are they going to replace Marc Marquez with? Marquez will miss at least the next two rounds after suffering a crash with Marco Bezzecchi in Indonesia but could miss more and Ducati do have plenty of options, including riders from World Superbikes.
'A big crash, a big contact' - Hodgson analyses Marquez-Bezzecchi crash at Grand Prix Indonesia
Video credit: TNT Sports
It has been confirmed by Ducati that Marc Marquez will now miss the Grands Prix in Australia and Malaysia due to a shoulder injury suffered after a crash with Marco Bezzecchi in Indonesia.
Rather than opt for surgery, Marquez will rest his shoulder, with the hope that the injury will heal itself without the need to go under the knife.
This decision also opens up the possibility that he could return for the final two races in Portugal and Valencia.
Indeed, Marquez himself has suggested that, saying: "My goal is to be back before the end of the season, but without rushing things beyond the doctors’ recommendations."
It’s obviously worth noting that whilst it is indeed possible, it is by no means a guarantee and Marquez isn’t reckless enough to push himself if doctors advise otherwise.
Marquez was crowned world champion at the Grand Prix Japan the week before Indonesia, the seventh world title of his illustrious career and his first away from Honda.
But now the question for Ducati becomes who they will use to replace Marquez? With both the riders and constructors’ championships wrapped up Ducati don’t have anything to play for, but they do have options.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/10/05/image-4039959b-8889-4d93-96ff-05511d64ffd1-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Highlights: Rookie Aldeguer secures maiden victory at Grand Prix Indonesia as Marquez suffers injury
Video credit: TNT Sports
What do the rules say?
The rules on replacement drivers are pretty simple and teams are under no obligation to take their test rider and promote them.
"Teams must make every reasonable effort to provide a qualified substitute rider to fulfil their entry obligations within 10 days of withdrawal," the rules state.
It is also worth pointing out that whilst Ducati can use the other rider as a bit of a test case, they will still count for Marquez’s engine allocation. They do not get a new counter.
Play it safe with the reserve driver
The easiest, and most logical, decision for Ducati would be just to promote Michele Pirro, their test rider, to take Marquez’s place for the next two races.
Pirro is a wily veteran at 39 and he has made a MotoGP start every single year from 2012.
He is the safe pair of hands and would help Ducati get through the next two weekends with minimal fuss.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/10/10/image-8780622d-9948-4f2d-b169-055b10f50d88.jpeg)
Michele Pirro during testing in Italy last month
Image credit: Getty Images
WSBK Wildcards
The interesting wrinkle in all of this comes from World Superbikes. Over the next two weekends, the championship will conclude with Toprak Razgatlioglu leading the way.
Toprak, who is set to join Prima Pramac Racing in MotoGP next season, is locked in a battle with Nicolo Bulega, a Ducati rider.
| Ducati are looking for a replacement for Marc Marquez who will miss at least the next races, at Australia and Malaysia, due to an injured shoulder suffered during a crash with Marco Bezzecchi at Indonesia. However, there is a chance that Marquez could also miss the final two race weekends at Portugal and Valencia should his shoulder not heal as is hoped. Michele Pirro is the Ducati test driver and seems poised to at least race in Australia, but beyond that, Ducati could turn to one of their World Superbikes drivers, namely Nicolo Bulega, who is currently locked in a title fight with Toprak Razgatlioglu. Other options include Andrea Iannone and Alvaro Bautista. |
Obviously, for the final weekend at Jerez, Ducati won’t take Bulega out to race in Australia, but for Malaysia? That is a possibility if they wanted to see how he would fare at MotoGP level.
So we could see a situation where Pirro does the weekend in Australia but Bulega, who has MotoGP testing in 2026 in his Ducati contract, then comes in.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/09/28/image-f7ad8958-74b6-4ab5-8e4d-a8b381a1597d-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'He HAD to beat Toprak' - Bulega wins thrilling WSBK Superpole race in Aragon
Video credit: TNT Sports
There are other options besides Bulega thanks to Ducati’s rich stable of riders.
Both Andrea Iannone and Alvaro Bautista have filled in for other riders in the past, the former at Sepang last year and the latter at the same event two years ago in 2023.
Ducati do have other riders but there isn’t any indication at this moment that the likes of Danilo Petrucci, Sam Lowes or anyone else would be under consideration.
Stream the 2025 World Superbikes and MotoGP seasons live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement