Bulega Dominates Misano Test: Only Rider to Break 1:32 Barrier

Rider Nicolo Bulega reaffirmed his dominance during the second day of the WorldSBK test at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. Bulega concluded the two-day session with an overall fastest time of 1 minute 31.769 seconds, distinguishing himself as the only rider capable of breaking the 1 minute 32 second barrier throughout the entire test period.

The technical superiority of Ducati was starkly evident, with six of the top seven positions in the afternoon session occupied by Panigale V4 R riders. Alongside Bulega, Iker Lecuona, Yari Montella, and Sam Lowes secured the top four spots, indicating a highly optimized setup in terms of traction management and power distribution specifically tailored for the Misano layout.

The only rider to disrupt this dominance was Alex Lowes, who claimed fifth position aboard a Bimota. Lowes' ability to penetrate the top five suggests that the Bimota chassis possesses competitive efficiency in terms of braking stability and mid-corner speed, although a significant time gap still remains between the Bimota and Bulega's leading pace.

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Technically, Bulega's ability to lap under 1 minute 32 seconds reflects an edge in aero-balance and tire grip optimization. The latest aerodynamic package on the Ducati Panigale V4 R has proven to provide more stable downforce, allowing the rider to carry higher entry speeds into corners without compromising the overall stability of the chassis.

Conversely, manufacturers such as Yamaha and Honda remained confined to the mid-pack. Xavi Vierge and Andrea Locatelli represented Yamaha in ninth and tenth, while Somkiat Chantra was the fastest for Honda in 12th. The time deficit of over one second from the lead highlights critical challenges in power delivery efficiency and tire thermal management for both brands.

The results of day two solidify Ducati's position as the technical benchmark for the 2026 Superbike season. Rival teams must now focus on refining suspension configurations and engine mapping to approximate Ducati's raw performance. For Bulega, maintaining the fastest pace across both Thursday sessions provides a significant psychological and technical advantage heading into the official competition.