Bulega reflects on Estoril and looks ahead to Jerez: "This win is important …We will give Jerez our 200%"
While Bulega outgunned Toprak in the final race at Estoril, with just Jerez remaining, he will need luck on his side from here on out in the title battle
The dust has settled in Portugal from the EICMA Estoril Round weekend. While Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) and Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) have clinched the Teams Championship thanks to their Race 2 exploits, the #11 is now behind the 8-ball for the final Pirelli Spanish Round. Thirty-nine points down, He will need a veritable miracle, such as multiple DNFs to take back the title lead, an unlikely outcome, but in a sport such as this one, anything is possible.
FIGHTING TO THE VERY END: “I know the Championship looks very difficult, but we’ll never give up”
Bulega found himself outpaced by Toprak in the Tissot Superpole Race after enjoying a brief lead in the opening laps. Race 2, however, was a different story, as the #11 shot off the line to take the holeshot, while his rival was passed by several riders to fall to P5. While ‘El Turco’ was preoccupied with making up track position, Bulega was settling into his rhythm. From there the Italian sophomore rider ran away with the race and its critical 25 points.
On his Sunday at Estoril and looking ahead to the final round of the season at Jerez, Bulega said: “It was a very good race in Race 2. We improved the bike a lot from the Superpole Race in the morning. I’m happy because this win is important. I know the Championship looks very difficult, but we’ll never give up. Toprak has been strong all season, but we’ve also had a very strong season. We will give Jerez our 200%. The only things I can do now are do my best and put pressure on Toprak.”
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