Rookie Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) ensured all eyes were on him on Day 1 at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto as he put in a lap that almost put him on record pace. The 2023 WorldSSP Champion was more than a second clear of his nearest rivals after utilising the SCQ tyre to full advantage although Bulega was quick to point out that he was aiming for improvements on the second day of testing for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship field.

STARTING 2024 IN THE RIGHT WAY: “we are starting to understand each other in a good way”

Bulega recorded a lap time of 1’39.193s to initially go fastest around three hours into the day, before improving on that by almost a second during the final hour. On both occasions, he used the SCQ tyre, with the best time, a 1’38.292s, just half-a-tenth away from the all-time lap record set in 2019. His nearest rival was Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) who was 1.182s back on the #11, while teammate Alvaro Bautista finished in tenth place and 1.555s down on Bulega. However, the Italian did have a small technical issue towards the end of the day which he explained when his running concluded.

Explaining that problem and reflecting on a superb day for himself, Bulega said: “Not too many problems, we just had to put some more fuel in. I had a good feeling, almost like I wanted so this was important. I had fun with my bike and my team. We are starting to understand each other in a good direction. I think we are working in a good way, and I just need more laps on the bike. We were working on my position on the bike because this is completely different and bigger, so I need to adapt my body to the bike. We tried something different with the handlebar. Not incredible things, just to have a good base.”

LOOKING TO MAKE A STEP: “I have to work with used tyres”

However, despite his incredible pace using the SCQ tyre, Bulega outlined where he hoped he could find some improvements on the second day of testing to ensure he can fight at the front throughout races and not just be quick over one lap. While his one-lap pace has been superb for everyone to see so far, the 24-year-old explained that he wanted to find some more speed on used tyres on Thursday while continuing the work he and the team put in on Wednesday.

Expanding on his plan for the rest of the test, Bulega added: “Tomorrow will be about continuing the work we did today and trying to improve a bit more. Maybe we can improve with used tyres. I am fast especially with new tyres, but I have to work with used tyres. If I can be fast with used tyres, like I am with new, I can be competitive.”

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