WSBK Emilia Romagna: Bulega Dominates as Miguel Oliveira Returns

Nicolò Bulega (Ducati) won the first race of the World Superbikes’ seventh round in Emilia Romagna on Saturday. Bulega extended his record to 23 consecutive victories, while Portuguese rider Miguel Oliveira finished eighth in his return to competition following an injury.

How did Nicolò Bulega secure the win in Emilia Romagna?

Bulega maintained a dominant season performance, though Iker Lecuona led the field during the opening curves. According to race results, Bulega reclaimed the lead on the eighth lap and held the position until the finish.

He finished the race 27.847 seconds ahead of the rest of the field. Spanish rider Iker Lecuona (Ducati) took second place, finishing 6.117 seconds behind Bulega, while Yari Montella (Ducati) finished third at 13.823 seconds.

Did You Know? Nicolò Bulega and Marco Melandri are now the Italian riders with the highest number of podiums in Superbike history.

What records were broken during the seventh round?

Bulega’s victory marked his 75th career podium and his 32nd consecutive podium finish. This achievement equals the records previously held by Colin Edwards and Marco Melandri.

Iker Lecuona also set a new record during the event. The Ducati rider secured his 16th consecutive second-place finish.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that Ducati’s sweep of the top three positions underscores a significant technical advantage. The gap between Bulega and Lecuona in the standings suggests a level of dominance that may make the championship outcome predictable if current trends hold.

How did Miguel Oliveira perform in his return?

Miguel Oliveira (BMW) returned to the competition after an injury, starting the race from 11th on the grid. He reached seventh place during the event but eventually finished eighth after being overtaken by Alex Locatelli (Yamaha).

HIGHLIGHTS from an outstanding Race 1 at Misano 🔥 | 2026 #EmiliaRomagnaWorldSBK 🇮🇹

Oliveira finished the race 27.847 seconds behind the winner. Despite the return, he remains in ninth place in the overall standings with 93 points.

What are the current World Superbike standings?

Nicolò Bulega leads the championship with 397 points. Iker Lecuona follows in second place with 284 points.

Miguel Oliveira holds ninth place with 93 points. Based on these margins, Bulega could continue to extend his lead, while Lecuona may attempt to close the 113-point gap in upcoming rounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the first race of the World Superbikes in Emilia Romagna?
Nicolò Bulega (Ducati) won the race, marking his 23rd consecutive victory.

What was Miguel Oliveira’s result in his return race?
Oliveira finished in eighth place after starting from 11th on the grid.

Which riders does Nicolò Bulega now equal for most consecutive podiums?
Bulega equals the record of 32 consecutive podiums held by Marco Melandri and Colin Edwards.

How do you think the points gap between Bulega and Lecuona will change in the next round?