Superbike: Nicolò Bulega Returns to Victory Immediately After His Unbeaten Streak Ends

Nicolò Bulega also dominated Race 2 of the World Superbike Championship’s United Kingdom Round, giving Aruba.it Racing Ducati another day to remember at Donington Park. The rider from Emilia claimed victory ahead of his teammate Iker Lecuona, who staged an extraordinary comeback from tenth on the grid, while Yari Montella confirmed his excellent form by securing another podium finish. It was a perfect Sunday for the Borgo Panigale-based manufacturer, which also celebrated winning the Manufacturers’ World Championship.

Starting from pole position, Bulega maintained the lead into the first corner, ahead of Montella and Alex Lowes. Lap after lap, the championship leader extended his lead, building a nearly one-second advantage by the fifth lap. Behind him, Lecuona’s comeback took shape as he overtook first Alex Lowes and then Sam Lowes, quickly closing in on the podium positions. On the 16th lap, the Spaniard completed his pass on Montella at Goddards and secured second place, though he was unable to challenge his teammate.

For Bulega, this marks his 43rd career victory in the World Superbike Championship, a result that allows him to tie Noriyuki Haga for sixth place on the all-time list of the category’s most successful riders. The race also gave Italy its 550th podium finish in WorldSBK history, while Lecuona secured his 19th top-three finish and Montella stepped onto the podium for the 11th time in his career.

Behind the leading trio, the battle for fourth place heated up. Sam Lowes lost ground after running wide at Turn 11, being overtaken first by his brother Alex and then by Axel Bassani. The Venetian rider on the Bimota by Kawasaki completed his comeback on Lap 20 with the decisive pass at the Foggy Esses, finishing fourth ahead of Alex Lowes, Garrett Gerloff, and Sam Lowes.

Lorenzo Baldassarri also made it into the top ten, finishing eighth with Team GoEleven after another convincing performance. Behind him were Xavi Vierge, once again Yamaha’s top finisher, and Alvaro Bautista, who crossed the finish line in tenth place. It was a memorable day for Ducati, made even more special by the mathematical clinching of the Manufacturers’ World Championship title.