MotoGP | 2026 | Silly Season

This is true.

I did not think that Bulega would want to leave WSBK (where he could win n+1 championships) to be a full time MotoGP test rider. The current offer has him staying in WSBK while adding MotoGP testing duties. That's a different proposition.

At his age, I'd expect him to want a shot at a Moto GP race seat prior to accepting a full time test seat. That's just my opinion. I'm not saying I'm right. I'm also not Professor X so I have no idea what Bulega actually thinks.

 

I think it's actually a smart move on Bulega's part, as it allows him access to the 2027 bike before any current rider, and he's already got experience with the Pirelli rubber. He's super talented, but much like Toprak might not set the world on fire when he first comes to GP's. We've all seen how fickle that paddock is, so he avoids coming in and learning something completely new, only to have to start over again in '27. I'd go out on a limb to say he's got a better shot at top 10's in 2027 than most of the grid at this point, as they'll all be starting from square one.

 

Jose Antonio Rueda testing the Ajo Moto2 bike at Catalunya. He's under 2 sec off the all time record, so not bad for (I think) his first outing on a Moto2 bike.

 

Is Jose Antonio Rueda Spanish?

 

Irish.

 

Good, too many damn spanish riders already, don't need any more.

Eye-talians as well.

 

Not sure how accurate, multiple times I’ve seen/heard today that Enea is taking Martin’s seat next year.

 

Is Bulega quiting wsbk or is he going to do both?

 

Both.

Full time WSBK racer and part time GP test rider.

Ducati said in their press conference it's a chance for him to put himself in the Shop Window for a move to GP in '27 which would make him likely the only full time guy with loads of experience on the 850 already, for any brand.

 

Yeah he did not do so well in Moto 3 or Moto 2, but then again he’s setting WSBK on fire since he got in that paddock. He could be another Fabio Quat

 

So are we getting onboard radios next year? I see they were testing them at Aragon. Apparently Binder loves them.

 

I don’t think so for ‘26. Very mixed reviews and Zarco said they’re dangerous. They’re using bone-induction versus in-ear supposedly because now induction would eliminate something getting stuck in your ear. That said, his main complaint is you can hear it unless you’re off the gas aka braking / cornering which is exactly where you don’t want to receive audio communications.

I think that makes sense.

They said the first roll-out will also be race direction to order communications only.
- penalties
- warnings
- red flags
Etc.

 

Yep, that test was kind of bizarre. How much harder does he have to be braking to do it later than everyone else and still slow down more by corner than anyone else?

 

Option 3. Speakers in the helmets?

 

Not really sure what else they're considering or thinking of testing. It seems they've only tested the bone-induction option whereas the in-ear option was mentioned because that's what they use in F1. Granted, in F1, the driver's head rarely has the potential to get twisted around in every direction in a crash, so it's easier to consider it being sort of "fixed" even when the car is barrell-rolling through a fence.

 

One man's opinion, but I thought he was a much better fit for the Aprilia bike than the KTM. The chips didn't fall that way, though. I was a big fan of his riding on the Ducati: Start in 6th, don't give up positions in the first half, then motor to the front on worn tires.

I really hope this rumor is true and he can find himself again on the Aprilia.

-T

 

Im an Enea fan but I dont think he deserves that ride after what he's done this year. He won't win a championship and Aprilia would be better off finding a rookie hotshoe on the cheap with internal development

 

….you don’t think they couldn’t get Enea cheap? What’s he done since he left Gresini? The capabilities are there with his smooth riding. I’d like to see him take Raul’s seat.

 

He did win a few races on the factory Duc and was a podium contender. Thats more than alot of the veterans can say still stagnating in the series.