Nicolo Bulega would be open to replacing Marc Marquez at the Portuguese Grand Prix if he could test before the race.

There have been whispers across the MotoGP and World Superbike paddocks that Ducati are interested in allowing Nicolo Bulega to replace the injured Marc Marquez at the Portuguese Grand Prix.

However, the 2024 and 2025 World Superbike runner-up admitted after the Jerez World Superbike Test that he has not had any contact from Ducati regarding the chance of racing in MotoGP.

The Italian rider arrived in World Supersport in 2022, after six years in the MotoGP paddock in Moto3 and Moto2. But he is wary about racing in MotoGP, without being able to test the Ducati GP25, as he has no experience with parts of the MotoGP machines.

"Honestly, I still have not received any calls," Bulega told WorldSBK.com after the Jerez World Superbike Test.

"I know it is a possibility. But to go to MotoGP is difficult if you are coming from Superbikes and you have never tried a MotoGP bike in your life. I have been riding a Superbike for just two years.

"I don't have experience with carbon [brake] discs, Michelin tyres, the bike has more power, and the devices are new for me.

"So, I think before thinking about going to race, it is better to try before, then if I have the possibility, why not?"

Bulega ended his 2025 World Superbike campaign with a hat-trick of victories at Jerez and finished the season in second place in the Championship standings.

During the opening day of the Malaysian Grand Prix, Davide Tardozzi confirmed that Bulega will be allowed to test the Ducati GP25 at Jerez. After the test it will be decided whether the Italian will replace Marc Marquez at the Portuguese Grand Prix in November.