Aruba.it Racing – Ducati’s Nicolo Bulega says he and the team “have lots of work to do” following WorldSBK testing at Portimao.

Bulega finished the test second fastest behind BMW’s Toprak Razgatlioglu, but the Italian was over half a second down on the reigning world champion’s best lap time. 

The teams faced limited test time due to inclement weather in Portugal, which meant they could only run for half days on each of the two days of testing. 

The championship leader was further restricted following a crash at Turn 11, from which the he was fortunate to walk away uninjured. 

Bulega admitted it was a “difficult” test for the team after earning a treble of race victories in Phillip Island, but emphasised the end of the session showed promise for the upcoming weekend. 

“It was a bit of a difficult test for us because we worked hard to find a good feeling, but it didn’t arrive,” Bulega said to WorldSBK.com.

“This morning [Day 2] I had a big crash on a very fast corner here in Portimao.

“Fortunately, I am good, but it was more difficult to work because we lost some time as a result, then later the rain made it a difficult and strange test.

“At the end of the session, the last 15 minutes, we were a bit better; we still have lots of work to do but in the end, we were a lot better.”

Alvaro Bautista: Ducati made ‘small changes’ in Portimao WorldSBK test

Bulega’s Ducati teammate Alvaro Bautista finished the Portimao test in eighth, over a second behind Razgatlioglu’s best time. 

The Spanish rider elected not to test on Friday and instead opted for half a day’s running on Saturday.

Despite his limited track time, Bautista suggested he “felt good” on the bike but stressed would have to wait to see how it fairs in race condition.

“We were able to do some laps, especially in the morning, we started the day with the same setup that we finished the last round with, in Australia.” said Bautista.

“The feeling was good, I felt good on the bike. We made some small changes but nothing big. In the afternoon with the rain, the feeling was a bit worse because I couldn’t feel the tires as easily.

“In general, in the morning I felt good, the pace wasn’t too bad, but we will have to see what the conditions will be like on the race weekend. We prepared the base setup and we will adapt the package from there.”

READ MORE: Five things we learned from WorldSBK Phillip Island season opener

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Last month signalled the start of the 2025 WorldSBK season, which commenced at the iconic Phillip Island circuit.

Nicolo Bulega was the standout rider, winning all three races and securing the maximum 62 points to kick off the season.

A multitude of talking points arose after the weekend’s events, prompting Motorsport Week to share five key takeaways from the season opener.

1. Nicolo Bulega has another level in him

Arub.it Ducati rider Bulega dominated the weekend’s proceedings, leading every session throughout the weekend and completing a historic treble, his first ever in the series.

Since the introduction of the Superpole Race in 2019, the Italian joins an exclusive list of riders who have achieved this feat, including Jonathan Rea, Alvaro Bautista, Toprak Razgatlioglu, and Danilo Petrucci.

Bulega’s is only in his sophomore year in the series, following an impressive debut campaign in 2024 where he finished as Razgatlioglu’s nearest challenger.

It’s still early days in the new season, but the 25-year-old is sure to improve now that he has a deeper understanding of the finer details of his Panigale V4.

2. Reigning champion Toprak Razgatlioglu is stronger in Europe

Razgatlioglu’s rollercoaster of a weekend in Phillip Island raised multiple surprises considering the manner of his 2024 title-winning campaign.

The Turkish rider began his title defence with one podium finish in Race 1, before finishing 13th in the Superpole and retiring in Race 2.

Despite showing frustration by smashing his windshield and labelling the series as a “Ducati Cup”, time will tell whether BMW is worse off after losing its superconcessions privilege.

Let’s not forget that Razgatlioglu’s record is far more favourable in Europe, considering he has only prevailed on one occasion in Australia, arriving in 2020 when he rode for Yamaha.

READ MORE – Ducati personnel hit back at Toprak Razgatlioglu’s ‘Ducati Cup’ claim

3. Alvaro Bautista’s resurgence in 2025 looks on the cards

Despite Bulega’s success, two-time champion Bautista looked comfortable aboard his Italian marque for the first time since 2023.

Before the season kicked off, the 40-year-old chose to extend for another year and later mentioned his positive feelings about his bike, which led to two podium finishes Down Under.

The notable disparity between the Spaniard’s 2023 and 2024 seasons saw 27 and four victories, but a resurgence looks to be on the cards despite a crash in the Sunday Superpole race.

The series needs Bautista to challenge at the front throughout the season considering his impressive achievements since joining the series in 2019.

4. A mixed bag for PATA Maxus Yamaha

PATA Maxus Yamaha endured a mixed bag both in pre-season testing and throughout the season opener.

Six-time champion Rea suffered multiple fractures to his left foot, resulting in him missing the season opener and the next round at Portimao.

While this setback pushes the Northern Irishman further behind after his first winless campaign since joining the series in 2009, Andrea Locatelli, his teammate, sits as the lead non-Ducati rider in the championship classification.

Locatelli produced two seventh-placed finishes in Race 1 and Race 2 but improved to finish sixth in the Superpole Race.

Yamaha is reportedly heading in the right direction, but the true test of the M1’s competitiveness will come when both riders take to the track.

5. Independents Rivalry: Andrea Iannone and Danilo Petrucci are ready for a blockbuster battle

Petrucci racked up the Independents’ Title in 2024, and although Alex Lowes was his closest challenger last season, we predict Andrea Iannone will be his main challenger for this season.

The Italian duo picked up their first wins in the series in 2024 at Cremona and Aragon respectively, and this season should see even further success.

The vastly experienced MotoGP duo will likely go to and fro both on track and in the championship standings.

We saw last season that both riders have strengths at different tracks, and this season marking Iannone’s second year in the series, it promises to be a titanic battle.

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Following on from the official announcement, Pirelli has revealed that its MotoGP tyres “will be different” to the compounds produced in the junior classes and WorldSBK.

It was announced that Italian tyre provider will be the official tyre supplier in the premier class from 2027, the start of the new regulation era.

Pirelli Moto Racing Director Giorgio Barbier didn’t reveal any details surrounding the tyres itself, but made it clear that their approach will be different for MotoGP.

“As per the announcement, we are still discussing important details we cannot reveal,” Barbier began to GPOne.

“So, I expect more discussions with the FIM, MSMA, and the manufactures, because we are still two years away from our debut.

“The motorcycles still have to be prepared, there are designs, but I have not seen the bikes yet, so it will have to be decided when we will take to the track, with what limits, with what riders and with what rules above all, which Dorna will have to set.

“For MotoGP [tyres will be different], we will have to build prototypes. Our approach will definitely be different than that of other manufacturers, with hyper specialised super prototypes, track by track.

“It will be a Pirelli approach, more industrial, qualitative and numerical. Consequently, the processes will be similar to the tyres we already supply, and the supply capacity will be different.”

Pirelli’s priority is to focus on ‘performance’

Barbier indicated that Pirelli’s point of focus is to maximise the tyre “performance.”

“In MotoGP, the cornering speeds and the dynamics would certainly be a challenge for the current Superbike tyres.

“At this point in time, there is no finished tyre design. I don’t know what the final design will look like, but we have to calmly ensure that every motorcycle manufacturer is able to develop reliably.

“Only then will we focus on performance, because for that we need time and tests to develop these tires.”

Producing the MotoGP won’t be a ‘huge effort’ amid monopoly fears

Pirelli operate in multiple racing series on both two and four wheels, including being Formula 1’s official tyre supplier since 2011.

It could be argued that the Italian brand’s placement in the pinnacle of four-wheeled motorsport, WorldSBK and now MotoGP means it is now a monopoly in all major racing series.

Barbier believes that its new MotoGP venture “is already very large” and wouldn’t take a “huge effort” considering the knowledge base it has so far in other motorbike racing series.

“I don’t think it will be a huge effort when you consider the number of riders, and considering the categories we already follow, from Superbike to BSB (British Superbikes) to Junior GP in Spain.

“The effort is already very large, but coming into MotoGP will be a real bath in the prototype world.

“When we entered last year in Moto2 and Moto3, we did it with tyres derived from Superbike, or at least tyres already on the market.”

READ MORE – MotoGP announces Pirelli as new tyre supplier from 2027

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MotoGP has confirmed that the homologation approval for the Balaton Park Circuit is expected to be completed by mid-June.

Despite cancellations in the WorldSBK series in 2024, Balaton Park is set to make its debut in both WorldSBK and MotoGP later this year.

The Hungarian-based track is scheduled to host WorldSBK during the weekend of July 25-27, with MotoGP hosting a month later from August 22-24.

The 16-corner circuit is situated by Lake Balaton, with six right-hand, ten left-hand turns, spanning a total length of 4.115 km.

The last MotoGP race that took place in Hungary was in 1992 at the Hungaroring, located on the outskirts of the capital, Budapest.

FIM President Jorge Viegas emphasised to Speedweek: “I was told that everything is going according to plan.

“The track and safety requirements will be the same. The homologation is done for MotoGP, so it’s also good for the Superbikes.

“Tome Alfonso, our safety officer, is closely monitoring the modifications in Balaton and Brno, both of which are running.”

Alfonso added: “The last FIM inspection visit to the Balaton Circuit took place on February 13.

“Work on the track is underway and in accordance with the work plan we received in November, which was reviewed during the visit.

“The work is on schedule, meets FIM requirements, and should be completed by mid-June, weather permitting.”

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Gigi Dall’Igna and Alvaro Bautsita responded to Toprak Razgatlioglu’s claim of Ducati domination in the WorldSBK championship.

The reigning WorldSBK champion Razgatlioglu threatened to quit the series after enduring a difficult season opener in Phillip Island.

The Turkish rider sits eighth in the standings with 20 points after finishing second in Race 1, the only points he accumulated throughout the weekend.

He labelled the series a “Ducati Cup” after Nicolo Bulega completed his first WorldSBK treble for Italian manufacturer, with the top five riders in the standings all representing Panigale machinery.

“I have immense respect for Razgatlioglu because he had a wonderful season last year,” Ducati boss Dall’Igna told GPOne.

“He won 13 races in a row. The truth is that, last year, it was really a BMW Cup!

“In the sense that he dominated from start to finish. Then, as always, things in racing change.

“I don’t think it’s a Ducati Cup. Rather, we certainly have an incredible line-up of riders.”

Alvaro Bautista: Ducati has the ‘best riders’

Two-time WorldSBK champion Bautista elaborated on Dall’Igna’s perspective by discussing Ducatis full rider lineup.

While he admitted that it’s a “combination” of the V4 and riders, he listed each rider’s accolades, which he believes are key factors in understanding the championship standings.

“Although there were six Ducatis, you also have to take into account which riders were riding the Ducati,” said Bautista to BikeSportNews.

“So, we have Nicolo Bulega, Supersport World Champion and 2024 World Championship runner-up.

“Andrea Iannone, who has achieved many Moto2 victories and has also won in MotoGP, as well as Danilo Petrucci.

“And Ducati also has me as 125cc World Champion and two-time Superbike Champion. Everyone talks about the bike, but it’s not just that, it’s also the riders.

“It’s a combination. The Ducati is a good motorcycle because Ducati is constantly working on improvements. And if you also have a good racing driver, then it’s clear what the result will be.

“It can’t be our problem if other manufacturers don’t invest in the best riders.”

READ MORE – Toprak Razgatlioglu threatens to quit WorldSBK after Ducati dominance in Australia

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Scott Redding reflected on his “mega” Phillip Island WorldSBK after previously expressing a lack of self-belief.

The 32-year-old finished the opening round of the new season with two fourth-place finishes and a fifth-place finish.

The new season marked a change for Bonovo Racing as the satellite team formed a new partnership with Ducati, ending its affiliation with BMW.

The Brit reflected on his first weekend back aboard a V4 Panigale having previously spent two years with the factory outfit in 2020 and 2021.

Redding expressed that he had second-guessed his ability after three difficult years with BMW, but his performances in Australia have provided a confidence boost.

“I think it was a mega first weekend, of course I want to be fighting for the podium, I just didn’t end up on the podium, but that wasn’t for a lack of trying or giving my all because I did everything I could,” he said to WorldSBK.

“I think me and the team need to learn a little bit still but the team have been amazing, I have had so much fun with them this whole week of racing, on and off the track.

“It would have been nice to be on the podium, my plan of 5^th, 4^th, then 3^rd to be the comeback kid but I just didn’t quite have it today.

“It’s good for me to know that I’m capable of running in the top 5 again in WorldSBK because after three difficult years I questioned myself for sure, I think its normal for every rider to have that question mark of ‘do I still have it?’

“I was a bit nervous because we made a big plan to have Ducati in this team, and I’ve been working hard, my management has been working hard, the team has been working hard to find the funding to even make this happen.

“So there was a lot of pressure on my shoulders, so Race 1 I was sort of shaking in my boots as we say, but then I got the rhythm, built my confidence, and now I’m looking forward to this season.”

Scott Redding: All weekend ‘I was riding at 105%’

Redding revealed his only regret of the weekend’s work was not featuring on the rostrum.

The British rider explained that he is still finding his feet on the Ducati, as limited pre-season testing hampered his re-adjustment to the Panigale.

He revealed he was riding over the limit at “105%” but was ultimately “happy” with his results.

“My Sunday was good, I really wanted that podium so bad, in the Superpole Race I was also battling with Danilo [Petrucci] but I’m still just learning a few things on the bike with the used tyres, and also with the electronics and the bike setup because honestly we only really started to feel good with the bike here in testing, it was the only time we made progress with the bike.

“Now we’re learning a lot and it’s fantastic being back at the front and overtaking guys, being where I feel I should be.

“I had a lot of fun, in the second race I said ok, find the yellow bike or the red bike and use everything to stay after them.

“I had a great start, I was right on both of them and said ok, don’t let go, but they were just faster than me, I was riding at 105%, and they looked like they were relatively comfortable.

“I did the best I could do, and walking away with three top fives, I’m happy with that.”

Redding ended the first weekend in fifth place in the championship with a total of 30 points, behind Barni Spark’s Danilo Petrucci, Team GoEleven’s Andrea Iannone, and the factory Ducati duo of Nicolo Bulega and Alvaro Bautista.

READ MORE – Scott Redding: ‘I don’t get paid’ but Bonovo Ducati switch gives me ‘motivation’ for 2025 WorldSBK season

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Yamaha has announced that the team’s test rider Augusto Fernandez will replace Jonathan Rea at the WorldSBK Portimao round.

The 2022 Moto2 champion Fernandez will feature at both the Portimao test and race weekend, with both events taking place throughout March.

Rea sustained multiple fractures in his left leg on Day 1 of the Phillip Island test and flew back home to his native Northern Ireland to have surgery.

The Ulsterman’s time on the sidelines means Fernandez will make his WorldSBK debut. The 27-year-old previously spent two seasons with Red Bull GasGas Tech3 in MotoGP before joining Yamaha’s test team for the 2025 season.

“First of all I would like to send my best wishes for a speedy recovery to Jonathan Rea and to thank Yamaha for this opportunity,” Fernandez said to WorldSBK.com.

“This will be my first experience of racing with the R1 but also of racing in WorldSBK. I can’t wait to get to the Portimão test to spend some time on the bike and to see how it feels.”

Niccolo Canepa, the Road Racing Sporting Manager at Yamaha Motor Europe, added: “Jonathan has been sorely missed here in Phillip Island, but we are happy that the surgery on his injuries was successful and that he has now started the recovery process.

“We hope to see him fully fit and back on the bike as soon as possible. In the meantime, we spoke with Augusto and Yamaha Motor Racing about the possibility he could stand in for Jonathan in Portimao and he was keen to do so.

“He is familiar with the circuit, and with the test scheduled ahead of the race we can give him track time with the R1 WorldSBK ahead of the event.

“We must thank Yamaha Motor Racing and the MotoGP team for their support, and we are looking forward to welcoming Augusto to the team and to the WorldSBK paddock.”

Jonathan Rea underwent successful surgery on his left foot

The six-time WorldSBK champion announced on his social media that he underwent successful surgery.

The Northern Irishman flew home to Belfast last Wednesday for the surgery despite an initial delay due to swelling as a result of his crash.

“I would like to thank Dr Michael McMullan and his team at the Kingsbridge Private Hospital in Belfast for the urgency and care to deal with my foot injury,” Rea said.

“After reviewing the scans from my crash in Australia we made the decision to fly home directly and perform surgery to stabilise and fix the injuries in my foot.

“The surgery was successful and I will continue my recovery at home with my medical team.

“I want to thank my team, my family and of course all my fans who have been sending me positive messages during these difficult days.”

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Nicolo Bulega hailed his Ducati bike as “perfect” after securing three wins at the WorldSBK Phillip Island round.

The 25-year-old dominated proceedings across the weekend as he racked up the maximum 62 points to kickstart his 2025 campaign.

The Italian completed his first WorldSBK treble and his nearest contender in the championship standings is teammate Alvaro Bautista, who trails 26 points behind.

Bulega topped every session throughout the week, both in pre-season testing and during the race weekend, sending a strong statement to the field.

“I’m really happy because this is my first hat-trick in Superbike,” Bulega told WorldSBK.com after Race 2.

“It’s incredible, an amazing feeling to do it in my favourite track – it’s something special. Now I want to go back home to celebrate.

“I feel very good, very proud of what me and my team did because my bike was perfect from Monday’s test until Sunday and the last lap of Race 2.

“I was able to push every lap of this week, I enjoyed riding every lap.”

Bulega acknowledged a mistake he made in Race 2, which nearly cost him what would have been his elusive third win of the weekend.

He stated: “I braked a bit more inside at turn four and with the knee slider I touched a bit the kerb that is a bit taller than the asphalt and it moves a lot my leg because it blocks my leg on the kerbs.

“When I opened my leg I lost the front and I almost crashed – I made a not bad save with the knee!”

Nicolo Bulega pinpoints two riders who will be a threat at Portimao round

The 2024 series runners-up pinpointed two riders who will be a threat at the second round of the championship in Portimao.

The series returns to the Algarve on the 28th of March, a track where Bulega finished second last season despite battling illness.

“I’m confident, because last year in Portimao I finished second with a lot of fever, so I think we can be competitive again,” the Italian said.

“I think it will be not so easy because Toprak [Razgatlioglu] especially will be very fast in Portimao, but also Alvaro [Bautista] and other riders.

“So, I will try to maintain this level, but I think it’s very difficult.”

READ MORE – Nicolo Bulega seals dominant Australian WorldSBK treble with Race 2 victory

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World champion Toprak Razgatlioglu has threatened to quit the WorldSBK championship after Ducati dominated the opening round at Phillip Island.

Ducati’s Nicolo Bulega completed a hat trick of wins while the manufacturer scored eight out of a possible nine podiums over the weekend. 

The Turkish rider was the sole non-Ducati to make the rostrum but suggested he will reconsider his future in the championship if this pattern continues.

“Last year, yes, [Nicolo] Bulega [was strong], this year I’m not surprised that he is still fast and Alvaro [Bautista] also not bad,” Razgatlioglu told WorldSBK.com after Race 2.

“But, this year, all Ducatis are on the front, this is not normal, [it’s] why I say Superbike is almost like a ‘Ducati Cup’.

“I hope not to continue going like this because everyone is not enjoying like this.

“If Superbike continues like this in the future, I’m not thinking to race anymore here.”

Razgatlioglu: ‘I’m never happy in the first WorldSBK race of the season’

The Turkish rider had a difficult weekend in Phillip Island after taking his podium in Race 1, he could only manage 11th in the Superpole Race and retired in the final race of the weekend. 

Razgatlioglu explained that a number of technical problems amounted to the issues in Sunday’s races. 

“For me, especially the Superpole Race was not really good at the start. I feel some brake problem and we are lucky I didn’t hit someone and nobody crashed,” Razgatlioglu said.

“For Race 2, we say it’s better to ride yesterday’s bike because I feel we are really improving and grip is much better than before and we started to use yesterday’s bike.

“But, in the race, we see there’s some technical problem, and after I didn’t continue the race.”

He added: “I’m never starting very happy the first races in the season. Also last year, and two years ago – always I’m starting very strange, [and] this is the same.

“But I’m just focused on the next race because finally we are going to Europe and I’m just starting to fight with all the Ducatis.

“We have a long break, almost one month. I will keep working and try to come back stronger.”

The world champion admitted BMW need to find something ahead of testing before the second round at Portimao. 

“We have a test there, we need the test,” the Turkish rider said.

“Two days for me are very important because we are trying to improve the bike and we are still not 100 percent.

“But everyone is pushing hard, I know, and we will see because these two days for me are very important.”

READ MORE – Toprak Razgatlioglu shares MotoGP and WorldSBK ‘dreams’ beyond 2025

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Aruba.It Ducati’s Nicolo Bulega completed his dominant Australian WorldSBK weekend by taking victory in Race 2 at Phillip Island.

Bulega had been in a league of his own all weekend and sealed a hat trick of victories with a margin of 2.603s over teammate Alvaro Bautista. 

It had been agreed pre-race that the riders may not complete more than 11 laps on a single dry rear tyre due to track temperatures, as the mandatory pit stops remained in place. 

Bulega once again got a fantastic start from pole position and was easily able to hold his lead over Andrea Iannone and Scott Redding on the run down to the first corner.

Bautista was hoping to salvage something after starting 11th and made quick progress on the start to move into seventh place. 

The Spanish rider was followed through by world champion Toprak Razgatlioglu, who moved from 12th to eighth in the opening two laps.

Bautista continued to showcase the speed of the Ducati and made an easy double overtake on the Yamaha of Andrea Locatelli and the MarcVDS of Sam Lowes.

The former world champion was soon chasing down the podium positions and made a second double overtake on Redding and Petrucci to go third. 

Razgatlioglu saw an opportunity to make even more progress but made contact with the Barni Spark racer, apologising to Petrucci but keeping hold of fifth place.

The Turkish rider was given a drop one position penalty for his move on Petrucci, which allowed the Italian back through before the first riders made their pit stops.

Redding was able to get the jump on Bautista in the pitlane to move onto the podium, as both riders undercut a group consisting of Razgatlioglu and the high-flying Yari Montella. 

After the pit stops, there was a clear issue with the world champion’s BMW machine as Razgatlioglu dropped out of the points. He came into the pits at the end of the following lap and punched his screen in frustration as he retired from the race.

While BMW struggled with its issues, the factory Ducati team remained perilous, as Bautista made his way back into second with a move on Redding and was followed through by Iannone.

The British rider received a 2.905s time penalty for a pit stop intervention time infringement while running in fourth, which scuppered any chances of making the podium.

The positions on the rostrum were settled with three laps to go, but the remaining battle on the track was for fifth as Lowes and Petrucci fought to the final corner to decide the position.

Out front, Bulega dominated the race to seal his treble of victories in Phillip Island as he took the chequered flag by just over two seconds. 

Bautista recovered from 11th to second to complete an authoritative weekend for the factory Ducati team.

Iannone took third for the GoEleven team after remaining largely untroubled throughout the race.

Redding kept hold of his fourth position despite his penalty, as Petrucci won his battle for fifth over Lowes who had to settle for sixth.  

Locatelli was the highest placed non-Ducati in seventh as he crossed the line just under a tenth clear of Alex Lowes in eighth and Montella in ninth. 

Axel Bassani completed the top ten, seven seconds ahead of the fight between HRC’s Xavi Vierge in 11th and Dominique Aegerter in 12th. 

Garrett Gerloff was 13th while the sole BMW of Michael van der Mark took 14th over the line.

Ryan Vickers completed his debut WorldSBK weekend by rounding out the points in 15th.

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