VR46 team manager Pablo Nieto reacts to Nicolo Bulega\u2019s reported pace on Ducati\u2019s 2027 MotoGP prototype.<\/p>\n
While the current MotoGP machines were being prepared for this weekend\u2019s British Grand Prix, next year\u2019s 850cc prototypes completed a private test at Mugello on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Although no lap times for the 2027 prototypes, running on Pirelli tyres, have been officially released from any of the tests, GPone.com reports that Nicolo Bulega put Ducati fastest by 1.2s from the Honda of Takaaki Nakagami.<\/p>\n
Lorenzo Savadori\u2019s Aprilia and Dani Pedrosa\u2019s KTM were reportedly next on the timesheets.<\/p>\n
Although VR46 is yet to officially confirm any of its 2027 rider line-up, runaway WorldSBK title leader Bulega is set to join Valentino Rossi\u2019s team alongside Fermin Aldeguer, from Gresini.<\/p>\n
Asked by MotoGP pit lane reporter Jack Appleyard about Bulega\u2019s impressive pace at Mugello, VR46 team manager Pablo Nieto responded:<\/p>\n
\u201cI'm very happy that [850cc] Ducati is very fast. So this is the most important thing.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause in the end, it's going to be a new era, completely new for everyone.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it's very important that we continue in the same range, the same atmosphere.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd at the moment, we have to say that Ducati is doing very good work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Current VR46 rider Fabio di Giannantonio starts the second half of the season as one of five riders within 24 points of the title lead.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt's very nice that we are fighting for the championship. Five people in 24 points – we know that this is going to be very, very difficult,\u201d Nieto said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut the most important thing is that we are protagonists. We will try to fight until the end.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou never know what happens, so we have to continue thinking race by race\u2026 And then when we get to the overseas races, we will see.\u201d<\/p>\n
di Giannantonio, who is moving to the factory KTM team for 2027, reverted to the older aero package during FP1 at Silverstone following two Sunday accidents with the new fairing at Sachsenring.<\/p>\n