Pablo Nieto, VR46. © Gold and GooseArticle continues below ADVERTISEMENTArticle continues below ADVERTISEMENTAsked by MotoGP pit lane reporter Jack Appleyard about Bulega’s impressive pace at Mugello, VR46 team manager Pablo Nieto responded:“I'm very happy that [850cc] Ducati is very fast. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENTArticle continues below ADVERTISEMENTCurrent VR46 rider Fabio di Giannantonio starts the second half of the season as one of five riders within 24 points of the title lead. di Giannantonio’s team-mate Franco Morbidelli, who is being linked with Bulega’s Ducati WorldSBK seat next season, was ninth in FP1 on the satellite-spec GP25 machine. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENTArticle continues below ADVERTISEMENT