Lukas Tulovic: The Ducati rev limit drama enters the next round

The Euro Moto series continues this coming Friday in Assen, the Netherlands. It is still unclear whether the overall leader, Lukas Tulovic, will be on the starting grid for both races on Sunday. “We haven’t sorted out the problem yet,” explained team owner Matthias Moser a day before the start of the Euro Moto weekend. Nevertheless, the team and its rider have set off for the Netherlands.

As of this year, the Euro Moto Superbike series no longer relies solely on concession parts, which are granted or withdrawn depending on performance. In addition, at the start of the 2026 season, every Superbike had to be fitted with a data logger, at the team’s own expense, which is used to record data that is analysed by the Euro Moto Technical Committee every two events or after every four races run in dry conditions, and subsequently used to impose restrictions in the event of so-called ‘overperformance’. Only the fastest rider from each manufacturer’s team counts.

The standard electronics cannot simply be reprogrammed

“We knew something was coming after Oschersleben,” explains Moser, “but we only found out the extent of the rev limit reduction a week before the first free practice session at Assen. So, a week ago.” After days of frantic phone calls trying to get hold of someone in charge at Ducati during the holiday period, more is now known. “We were not, and are not, in a position to limit the revs by 500 rpm,” is the current state of affairs.

“The Ducati V4R uses a standard ECU programmed by Continental. As a team, we were also involved in its development,” says Moser, explaining the issue. “And only they can reprogram it. Firstly, that costs a lot of money and, secondly, it takes a lot of time. Ducati is neither willing nor able to do that.” There were also plenty of discussions with the Euro Moto promoter. However, the promoter shifts the responsibility towards the technical committee, which decides on the implementation of the regulations. “With our Magneti Marelli electronics from last year, reducing the revs wouldn’t have been a problem at all,” Moser assures us. “But with the production electronics, it simply isn’t possible.”

Keep an eye on the rev counter

A somewhat strange-seeming compromise has now been agreed with the Euro Moto promoter. The two Ducati riders, Lukas Tulovic and Lorenzo Zanetti – the latter of whom, although not included in the assessment of the alleged over-performance, still has to bear the brunt of the reduction – now face the task of completing their laps at Assen with one eye on the rev counter. And they mustn’t exceed 15,600.

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This doesn’t make the questions any fewer. “What’s the margin of tolerance here?” wonders Moser. “Go over it once and you’re immediately disqualified? I’m not aware of any guidelines on what’s still acceptable and what isn’t. And what about downshifting? The rider can’t control that, and the electronics don’t come into play there. What’s the modus operandi? And is this even enforceable? After all, this rule isn’t set out in writing anywhere, so any opponent can protest us out of the race at will.” Moser had been highlighting this issue for some time. The rev limit was only announced six days before the next event, and Moser has now lodged an appeal against it.

Confirmation from Ducati Corse

“This reduction and the associated costs contravene the current regulations,” he explains. “Because the associated costs would far exceed the 8,000-euro cap on electronics. The Ducati V4R is homologated by both the FIM and Euro Moto. Following consultation with Ducati Corse, the manufacturer is also happy to provide written confirmation stating clearly that reducing the rev limiter would only be possible at immense cost and that Ducati will not bear that cost.”

So the nail-biting wait continues for Lukas Tulovic on Friday at Assen. “We’ll take part in the first two free practice sessions,” says Moser, outlining the plan for Assen. “After that, we’ll see how it goes and how the rev limiter can be implemented. If that doesn’t work, we won’t be racing.” However, this already raises the next problem on the horizon. What will happen at the next event at the Nürburgring? According to the regulations, the technical committee meets after all four dry races. This means the problem will drag on until after the Nürburgring weekend. If it rains during one of the races at Assen on Sunday – or even both – we’ll have to carry this through to the finale at Hockenheim.