Portuguese GP for the Ducati Lenovo Team: Nicolò Bulega makes his MotoGP debut

The Ducati Lenovo Team is heading to the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, which hosts the 21st race of the season. Portugal has been a regular round since 2020, and Ducati has achieved two victories here: Pecco Bagnaia in 2023 and Jorge Martin in 2024. It will be a special week for Nicolò Bulega, World SBK runner-up with Aruba.it Racing Ducati, who will replace Marc Márquez for the final two GPs of 2025 and will make his Premier Class debut. Nicolò, who rode the Desmosedici GP for the first time last Thursday in a test at Jerez de la Frontera, will crown this important milestone with the 100th race of his career in the World Championship.

Pecco Bagnaia is also on track, appearing to have regained his confidence with the bike. After the victory in the Sprint in Malaysia and a truly solid and convincing first half of the race, Pecco is ready to get back at work for the third place of the overall standings and battle with the top riders for the podium.

Both riders will be back on track on Friday, November 7th, at 10:45 a.m. local time, for the first free practice session.

Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 4th (286 points)
“I came back from Malaysia with a bitter taste in my mouth, but also some positive feelings. Sunday's race certainly didn't end in the best way, even though we were competitive all weekend. This was something we'd been missing in the last few GPs, and we need to continue in this direction. Portimao is certainly a unique track with particular characteristics. We're working to find the same riding confidence we found in Sepang”.

Nicolò Bulega (#11 Ducati Lenovo Team)
“I'm happy and at the same time a little nervous about this debut. I want to enjoy the moment but also do a good job with the whole Team. I have no expectations in terms of results; I want to start gaining confidence with the Desmosedici GP. Let's also consider that we'll be riding on a very unique and demanding track like Portimao”.

Circuit Information
Country: Portugal
Name: Autódromo Internacional do Algarve
Fastest lap: Bastianini (Ducati), 01:38.685 - 2024

Circuit record: M. Márquez (Honda), 01:37.226 - 2023
Maximum speed: Oliveira (Aprilia), 352.9 km/h – 2024
Track length: 4,59 km
Sprint race distance: 12 laps (55.1 km)
Race distance: 25 laps (114.8 km)
Turns: 15 (9 right, 6 left)

2024 Results
GP Podium: 1° Martin (Ducati); 2° Bastianini (Ducati), 3° Acosta (KTM)
Pole Position: Bastianini (Ducati), 01:37.706
Fastest Lap:  Bagnaia (Ducati), Bastianini (Ducati), 01:38.685

Racing Statistics

Francesco Bagnaia
Bike: Ducati Desmosedici GP
Race Number: 63
GPs Started: 232 (127 x MotoGP, 36 x Moto2, 69 x Moto3)
First GP: Qatar 2019 (MotoGP), Qatar 2017 (Moto2), Qatar 2013 (Moto3)
Wins: 41 (31 MotoGP + 8 Moto2 + 2 Moto3)
Podiums: 82 (59 MotoGP + 16 Moto2 + 7 Moto3)
First GP Wins: Aragón 2021 (MotoGP), Qatar 2018 (Moto2), Olanda 2016 (Moto3)
Pole positions: 34 (27 MotoGP + 6 Moto2 + 1 Moto3)
First pole position: Qatar 2021 (MotoGP), Francia 2018 (Moto2), Gran Bretagna 2016 (Moto3)
World Titles: 3 (MotoGP 2023, MotoGP 2022, Moto2 2018)

Nicolò Bulega
Bike: Ducati Desmosedici GP
Race Number: 11
GPs Started: 99 (- x MotoGP, 49 x Moto2, 50 x Moto3)
First GP: Portuguese GP (MotoGP), Qatar 2019 (Moto2), Valencia 2015 (Moto3)
Wins: 0
Podiums: 2 (Moto3)
Pole positions: 2 (Moto3)
First pole position: Spanish GP 2016 (Moto3)
World Titles:- 

Info Championship

Rider Standings
Marc Márquez (#93 Ducati Lenovo Team) – World Champion - 1st (545 points)
Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 4th (286 points)
Michele Pirro (#51 Ducati Lenovo Team) – NC

Constructors Standings
Ducati - 1st (708 points)

Team Standings
Ducati Lenovo Team - 1st (831 points)