Next challenges for Nicolo Bulega: breaking Bautista’s record, MotoGP test

In a dream season with 26 wins from 30 races so far, Nicolo Bulega clinched the Superbike World Championship title ahead of schedule at his home race in Cremona. The 26-year-old is only the second Italian after Max Biaggi to achieve this. And he is the first to do so on a Ducati.

In Cremona, Bulega had to settle for second place behind his Aruba team-mate Iker Lecuona in all three races; it was clear that winning the title was at the back of his mind. He can now ride with a relaxed mindset at this weekend’s races in Estoril, having finished Friday’s practice sessions as the fastest rider by a narrow margin.

This is Bulega’s second world title; in the 2023 season, he had already triumphed in the Supersport class with his Aruba.it Ducati team. “For me, the Supersport title came after many years of bad luck,” Nico explained during a meeting with SPEEDWEEK.com in Portugal. “That’s why it was very emotional for me; I’d had a lot of tough years behind me. The Superbike class is more important, but for me personally, the two titles are on the same level.”

Once the celebrations with the team had drawn to a close on Sunday evening in Cremona, Bulega immediately turned his attention back to the challenges still ahead of him this season. “The big party will come afterwards,” he revealed. “It’s very important to me that I leave this paddock on a high and win as many races as possible before I move up to MotoGP. Even though I’ve already clinched the championship, it’s important for me to win at Estoril and Jerez. Then I can think about the party.”

Bulega is just one win away from Bautista’s record

Álvaro Bautista holds the record for the most wins in a single season; in 2023, the Spaniard stood on top of the podium 27 times. Bulega still has six races to go, having already secured 26 wins. “If I were to set another record this season, that would of course be lovely – it would be fantastic,” emphasised the Ducati ace. “But winning the title is already a huge achievement. If I manage to set this record, why not? But I won’t be thinking about the record during the races.”

The Superbike World Championship concludes on 16–18 October in Jerez. At the end of November, Bulega will take part in another MotoGP test in Jerez with the new 850cc bike and on Michelin tyres. On 1 December, he will then start work with his new team, VR46 Ducati, and will face his MotoGP rivals for next year at the first IRTA winter test in Valencia.