Nicholas Bulega will compete against Marc Marquez and to his future MotoGP colleagues, but not only, during World Ducati Week 2026 in Misano.
By Matteo Bellan / Corsedimoto.com
World Ducati Week 2026 at Misano: who will win the Race of Champions?
The annual event dedicated to Ducati enthusiasts once again offers the opportunity to see today's riders and the brand's leading figures up close.
No MotoGP, no Superbike: make way for the World Ducati Week. From
3 to 5 July, the
Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli hosts the annual event which also allows, in 2026, the celebration of 100e anniversary from the manufacturer in Borgo Panigale.
The first activities began yesterday: track tests, interviews, autograph sessions (meet & greet) and many other activities. But the main attraction of WDW remains without a doubt the
Lenovo Race of Champions, organized this year for the fourth time.
Ducati Race of Champions: What is it? TV and streaming schedule
The Ducati riders competing in MotoGP, World SBK and in other championships they will compete on the Misano circuit riding Panigale V4 Tricolore exclusive, specially prepared for the Lenovo Race of Champions.
Each motorcycle is derived from the Panigale V4 Tricolore and benefits from specific preparation designed to offer maximum performance on the track. The motorcycles naturally meet the requirements of the regulations of the IMFThis includes black forged aluminum wheels, an oil catch can under the fairing, and a fuel vapor recovery system. The modifications are completed with custom racing fairings in each rider's colors, a solid machined fuel cap, and several event-specific details, including the seat.
The program includes free practice and qualifying on Saturday, while the race will take place on Sunday before the awards ceremony.
Sky Sport MotoGP (channel 208) will broadcast the entire event live. The streaming will be provided by Sky Go et NOWThe official websites ducati.com et motogp.com will also offer broadcasts of the qualifying sessions and the race.
Saturday July 4, 2026
- 14:35 p.m. - 15:00 p.m .: Free practice
- 15:45 p.m. - 16:10 p.m .: Qualifications
Sunday, July 5 2026
- 12:40 p.m. - 13:05 p.m .: Course
The drivers entered in WDW 2026
The Ducati riders who will compete at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli are:
- Marc Márquez (MotoGP)
- Francesco Bagnaia (MotoGP)
- Fabio Di Giannantonio (MotoGP)
- Franco Morbidelli (MotoGP)
- Nicolò Bulega (WorldSBK)
- Álvaro Bautista (WorldSBK)
- Yari Montella (WorldSBK)
- Lorenzo Baldassarri (WorldSBK)
- Alberto Surra (WorldSBK)
- Tarran Mackenzie (WorldSBK)
- Thomas Bridewell (WorldSBK)
- PJ Jacobsen (MotoAmerica)
- Hafizh Syahrin (Asia Road Racing Championship)
- Josh Waters (Australian Superbike)
- Lukas Tulovic (EURO MOTO, former IDM)
The previous edition of the Race of Champions took place in 2024. Francesco Bagnaia won a few days after his marriage to Domizia Castagnini and shortly after becoming a father to a baby boy.
The Piedmontese driver had finished ahead Andrea Iannone, author of the pole position, and Marc Márquezwho had snatched third place from Nicholas Bulega in the final turn, causing contact followed by the fall of the Italian driver.
Bulega and Márquez: a calmer atmosphere after the 2024 incident
There is no longer any tension between Bulega and Márquez. The two riders met today in the press room (see video). The Superbike World Championship leader greeted the reigning MotoGP World Champion, who told him: "This year, bam, bam, bam", in reference to its dominance in the production-derived motorcycle championship.
"As long as I can do it, everything's fine.", replied Nicolò, who had replaced the injured Marc during the Grand Prix of Portimão and Valencia in 2025.
The Lenovo Race of Champions will offer him the opportunity to compete against Márquez as well as several riders he will meet again in MotoGP in 2027, when he joins the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing TeamThis transfer has not yet been officially announced, but it should be soon.
Even though it's a friendly race and there's no reason to take unnecessary risks, No top-level driver likes to finish behind their opponents.
Bulega Marquez World Ducati Week
