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As the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship paddock hits the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve could host title deciders across the weekend. WorldSSP is up for grabs this weekend and, more than likely, will be decided during the Pirelli Portuguese Round as Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) goes for glory. In WorldSSP300, there’s a three-rider title showdown with Jeffrey Buis (MTM Kawasaki) the leader heading into the round but knowing anything can happen in the Championship. Ahead of track action starting, both Bulega and Buis previewed their respective weekends.

Bulega has an 85-point lead over rival Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) and will win the Championship if he is 75 points or more clear at the end of Race 1, or if it goes to Sunday, 50 points or more ahead. With his future already secure – he’ll be joining Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) next year – the #11 will be folly focused on this weekend as he looks for his first World Supersport title before joining WorldSBK.

Looking ahead to the weekend and discussing the possibility of being crowned, Bulega said: “It could be a very special weekend for me and my team but, first, I’d only like to continue as I did from the first race and start my Friday trying to find a good setup. If it’s possible, I’d like to secure the title in Race 1. I start this weekend like always as I want to find a good setup, have fun with my bike and try to win. If I will be Champion after the race, even better. Honestly, I’m very relaxed because I feel very good with my bike. I feel like I can push every lap that I want. This is the most important and makes me happy and calm. To bring back Ducati to this condition in WorldSSP is something that makes me very proud. It’s something special.”

In WorldSSP300, Buis will have to fend off Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Accolade Smrz Racing BGR) and Dirk Geiger (Freudenberg KTM – Paligo Racing) in what’s set to be a thrilling end to the season. The #6 has a 30-point advantage over Perez Gonzalez and 47 over Geiger with 50 points available, meaning he, like Bulega, can wrap up the title on Saturday if he loses five points or less to Perez Gonzalez and Geiger is 25 points or more back.

Talking about the season finale, Buis said: “A lot of people asked me if I’m nervous but, for me, it’s just a normal race weekend. I just do what I can do always. I’ll try to be in the top positions and that’s very important for this weekend. Back in 2020, I was quite nervous and also younger. Now, I have a bit more experience and I’ll try to stay calm. I’ll do my best and that’s all I can do. My goal is to do it in Race 1 because then in Race 2 I can ride freely.”

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