WorldSBK, Sportrik Media - Nicolo Bulega of Aruba.it Racing Ducati clinched a commanding Race 2 victory at the 2025 Estoril WorldSBK, keeping his championship hopes mathematically alive heading into the final round in Jerez. Trailing Toprak Razgatlioglu by 39 points with only 62 points left, Bulega pledges to "never give up." In-depth analysis of his dominant Estoril performance and post-race comments highlights his relentless spirit amid a tightening title race.
Dominant Estoril Win
Nicolo Bulega delivered a stellar performance in Estoril’s Race 2, leading from start to finish and outpacing Razgatlioglu by over four seconds. This triumph, his 11th of the season, followed significant bike improvements by his team since the Superpole Race. "It was a very good race," Bulega told WorldSBK.com. "We improved a lot the bike from the Superpole Race this morning, and I’m happy because this win is important."
Despite the victory extending his title chances, Bulega acknowledges the slim odds. With a 39-point gap and just three races remaining in Jerez, he must outscore Razgatlioglu by more than two points in Race 1 to keep the championship fight alive into Sunday. Conversely, Razgatlioglu can secure the title with top-six finishes in each Jerez race, even if Bulega sweeps all three wins.
Bulega’s Strategy: Pressure Razgatlioglu
Facing an uphill battle, Bulega’s approach is to apply maximum pressure on Razgatlioglu. "The only thing I can do now is put pressure on Toprak. I’m just doing my best," he stated. Though the title slips further away, he remains proud of his 2025 season. "Toprak was strong all the season, but I think also for us it was a very good season," he noted, reflecting on his 11 victories that mark a standout year for him and Aruba.it Racing Ducati.
Bulega commits to giving "200 per cent" in Jerez, aiming to capitalize on every opportunity to close the points gap. This mindset, bolstered by his team’s technical strides with the Ducati Panigale V4 R, underscores his determination to fight until the end, particularly on tracks demanding speed and precision like Estoril.
Jerez Outlook and Season Reflection
The Jerez finale presents a straightforward but daunting challenge for Bulega. He needs a flawless performance and a stumble from Razgatlioglu, a tough ask given the ROKiT BMW Motorrad rider’s consistency. However, SPORTRIK analysis highlights Bulega’s Estoril dominance—particularly his raw speed—as evidence of his potential to end the season strongly, even if the title eludes him.
Bulega’s 2025 campaign has cemented his status as a rising WorldSBK star, with 11 wins showcasing his talent in the premier class. While the championship may be slipping away, his resolve to push forward promises a bright future, both in Jerez and beyond. Fans eagerly await whether he can pull off an upset in the season’s closing round.
WSBK Standings
Position | Rider/Driver | Team/Country | Points |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Toprak Razgatlioglu | Turkey | 469 |
2 | Nicolo Bulega | Italy | 430 |
3 | Danilo Petrucci | Italy | 260 |
4 | Andrea Locatelli | Italy | 236 |
5 | Alvaro Bautista | Spain | 230 |
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