Bulega off to fast Superbike start for Aruba.it Racing-Ducati

After winning all three races in the opening round of this year’s MOTUL-FIM Superbike World Championship at Philip Island in Australia, placing runner-up in all three races at round two at the Algarve in Portugal, and winning the opening race of round three at Holland’s TT Circuit Assen, Aruba.it Racing-Ducati rider Nicola Bulega was a bit perplexed when his Ducati Panigale V4R sputtered to a stop with electrical issues in both Sunday’s Superpole race, as well as Race 2.

“We had some problems with some electronic parts of the bike,” said Bulega, who saw his Superbike World Championship point lead over rival Toprak Razgatlioglu dwindle to two points. “Nothing difficult but it has stuck with me. Unfortunately it happened two times. One time it happened in the Superpole Race and the second happened in Race 2. I was very unlucky with all that.

“The positive thing from Assen was that we were very, very fast for a broken bike. I was leading the race with a two-second advantage. For this reason, we have to be happy. However, I didn’t take away any points from Assen.”

Still, he continues to hold the top spot in the title chase. The Italian attributes his race-winning speed to a high comfort level with his bike and team.

“The feeling with the bike is very, very good now,” said Bulega. “Also, the feeling with the team is always very nice. So it is all under control — there was just that little and small problem during the races at Assen that was bad, but the rest of the bike is very good now.”

Bulega’s fast start follows an impressive Superbike rookie season where he won six races, stood on the podium 24 times and finished runner-up to Toprak Razgatlioglu and his BMW M1000RR in the world championship.

“I fought for the title in my first year — why not do it in the second?” said Bulega. “Obviously last year was a very good first year for me. I didn’t expect to be so fast the first year. One more year of experience will help a lot, especially with some difficult tracks. It will also help with the dropoff  of the tires at the end of the race.”

Currently, Ducati is developing a new generation Panigale V4R to be homologated for racing in 2026. Bulega’s Aruba.It Racing Ducati Team contract is up at season’s end but he hopes to stay where he is.

“Yeah, Ducati is working a lot with me,” said Bulega. “I think that we are growing up together — I feel much better than last year. Also, if I will stay with Ducati next year, I will have the new bike that Ducati will reveal during this summer. I think the new bike will be a step forward and I hope that my riding style matches well and then we will see.”

Would Bulega be interested in a move to MotoGP?

“I have started to think about it because in 2027, there will be a lot of change in regulations,” he admitted. “The tires in 2027 will be Pirelli tires. That is the same that we have in Superbike right now. I think this will be a very great opportunity to make a MotoGP debut because with the Pirelli tires, it is much easier for a Superbike rider because you already know the tires. Now with the Michelins, it is a bit more difficult. I don’t know. I will try, for sure, because MotoGP is a dream for everybody.”

Beginning with the approaching Italian round in May, there are nine rounds of Superbike racing remaining to be run before the curtain comes down on at Spain’s Jerez circuit in mid-October. But Bulega’s not thinking much further than the next round, on home ground in Italy.

“The next race will be in Italy at the Cremona Circuit. Cremona is not a track that I like a lot because it is very small,” he admitted, “but we will be in Italy, so I will try to do my best. I know that we can win. We have already won four races. It would be five if I didn’t have electrical problems. Now, we have it all under control. I know I have a good package. I

“Yeah, Toprak is very, very fast. He is a special guy. Other guys are also very fast, but I think the championship will be between me and Toprak. There will be some races that I will be fast and there will be some races where Toprak will be very fast. I think the championship will be decided at the last race.”