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The top two title contenders in this year’s 2025 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship once again found themselves at the top of the timesheet separated by a fraction of a second. Friday’s Free Practices featured Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) atop both sessions, pursued close behind in the combined time sheet by Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team). The pair will once again take to the track to claim the points on the line across Saturday and Sunday’s Races; at the moment Bulega holds a slender 21-point lead over ‘El Turco’, but everything is to play for this weekend at Cremona

“We need more grip, Ducati is really strong, it is easy for Bulega to reach the 1’29s mark” – Razgatlioglu on where he is trying to improve

In Free Practice 1, Bulega hung on despite many riders struggling with their grip and crashing off of the track. ‘Bulegas’ not only coped with the hot track surface, but thrived, finishing three tenths clear at the top of the time sheet over last year’s Champion as Razgatlioglu secured P2 with 2024 hat-trick hero Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) in third.

“We are still working on the bike; we need a really good setup for the race,” began Razgatlioglu. “Today we were working on the rear grip, normally I would have done a race simulation, but given the hot conditions, we needed to improve our rear grip. We found something, the last lap time was good, I’m feeling more grip now, but we need more. Ducati is really strong, I see Bulega, and it is easy for him to reach the 1’29s mark. Things are trending positively, and I hope tomorrow we continue to improve because we need to improve to keep up, but anyway, I’m really enjoying this track, even with the hot conditions. Overall, a positive day, and tomorrow we will keep working.”

“Bulega seems to be riding easier.” – Toprak on the Italian Sophmore’s progress

Toprak missed out on the grid’s last appearance at Cremona with injury after his crash at Magny-Cours ruled him out of competing. He didn’t seem to be too bothered by the lack of familiarity with the smaller circuit as his pace was very competitive, but Bulega appears to remain the man to beat this weekend in his mind.

Discussing his rival, ‘El Turco’ stated: “Nicolo now is very strong, he also knows the track because he raced here last year, his team is improving a lot. This his bike seems improved, and he seems to be riding easier. Last year I was only watching on it on TV, everything is new, especially these the hot conditions, if we can keep improving the bike, we will be fighting in the race with Nicolo.”

“Toprak is always very strong, especially at a track like this at. I think Cremona is very good for his riding style” – Bulega on his title rival

In some ways, Bulega’s Championship point tally is not representative of his form so far this season. After trading hat tricks with Toprak across Round 1 and Round 2, Round 3 at Assen was an exercise in patience for the young Italian star. After winning Race 1, The Tissot Superpole Race and subsequent Race 2 both looked like he was on his way to win, until his bike sputtered to a crawl and forced him to retire and take home no points. After that frustrating experience, ‘Bulegas’ has an eye on the competition, however he is more focused on his own feeling atop the

Looking ahead to his home weekend, Bulega said: “After Assen, we have to recover some points, I started this weekend with the strong mentality that I had in Assen, I wanted to bring that mindset here to Cremona. It’s a bit different here because I don’t like how this track mixes with my riding style, it doesn’t compliment it very well, but I will try my best like always. Toprak is always very strong, especially at a track like this at Cremona. I think it’s very good for his riding style, so I think he will be very strong as always. Apart from him though, there are several riders I think can be strong and I have them on my radar.”

Watch the duo cross swords this weekend at Cremona via the WorldSBK VideoPass!