Bulega Leads Sunday Session Ahead of Lecuona and Bassani
Nicolo Bulega led the final morning Warm Up session at the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round on Sunday, clocking a 1’32.098s lap to maintain his top position in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. As the field prepares for a doubleheader of races, Bulega holds a commanding lead in the title standings, while the competitive order behind him remains unsettled.
Nicolo Bulega’s performance in the Sunday morning session mirrored his results from Saturday, as he consistently held the fastest time at his home round.
How the field shaped up on Sunday
Aruba.it Racing – Ducati rider Iker Lecuona secured the second-fastest time, finishing seven tenths of a second behind his teammate. Axel Bassani of the bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team took the third spot, trailing Lecuona by four hundredths of a second as he aims for his first podium since the season opener.
Sam Lowes of the ELF Marc VDS Racing Team claimed fourth place with a 1’33.092s lap, followed by Tarran Mackenzie of MGM Optical Express Racing in fifth. Rookie Alberto Surra rounded out the top six, marking a strong performance in his first-ever home round in WorldSBK.
Samantha Carter notes that while Bulega’s pace remains dominant, the tight grouping of riders from second to tenth place suggests that the upcoming Tissot Superpole Race and the subsequent main event could see significant shifts in the championship hierarchy. The narrow margins between riders like Alvaro Bautista and Garrett Gerloff—separated by just three thousandths of a second—underscore how volatile the mid-pack competition has become.
What to expect in the upcoming races
With the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round entering its final phase, the upcoming doubleheader of races is expected to have major implications for the title picture. While Bulega’s standing is currently secure, the performance of riders like Yari Montella, who finished seventh in the Warm Up after a podium finish on Saturday, may indicate a shift in momentum as teams adjust to track conditions.
Analysts expect the battle for the podium to intensify as the field moves into the Tissot Superpole Race. Competitors like Alex Lowes, who finished eighth, will likely look to close the gap on their faster teammates to secure better grid positions for the final race of the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the fastest rider in the Sunday morning Warm Up?
Nicolo Bulega of the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team was the fastest, recording a time of 1’32.098s.
How close was the competition in the top ten?
The competition remains extremely tight; for instance, Alvaro Bautista and Garrett Gerloff were separated by only three thousandths of a second in the final standings of the session.
Where can viewers watch the remainder of the event?
Fans can watch the race action Live and OnDemand via the WorldSBK VideoPass.
Which rider do you believe is most likely to challenge Bulega for the top spot in today’s races?