Nicolo Bulega's (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) dream 2026 has risen to new heights at home, as among other accolades, the Italian phenom can now call himself a WorldSBK race winner at his home Misano World Circuit "Marco Simoncelli" track. Just as well, his assault on the WorldSBK record books continues in 2026, as Sunday’s final race of the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round saw Bulega break the WorldSBK record for the most hat-tricks earned in a single season, his tally now up to seven weekend triples.

KEEPING THE HAMMER DOWN

On Saturday, Bulegas again matched the already lofty bar he’s set for himself this season, taking pole position from the Tissot Superpole session with a circuit record-breaking 1’31.343s time, and finished Race 1, having increased his gap every lap apart from the race’s final Lap. Despite the celebrations, home-round fanfare, and Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali’s attendance on Saturday. Bulega was down to business from the opening of pit lane until Race 2’s chequered flag on Sunday. The Tissot Superpole Race saw Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) give the #11 the biggest run for his money of the weekend. The Spaniard hung within about six-tenths of ‘Bulegas’ over the first four laps; however, Bulega’s pace was too much to handle, breaking it open to a one-second margin by Lap 5 that only grew for the rest of the contest.

“I live close to here, so it’s even more special”

From pole position on Saturday, and pole to flag in all three races, Bulega’s weekend at Misano was nothing short of a masterclass. The rider’s hometown of Montecchio Emilia is just over two hundred kilometres away, and his fans always come out in force at Misano; yet due to Toprak Razgatlioglu's pair of hat-tricks in the last two seasons, Bulega had never had the chance to hoist a WorldSBK race-winning trophy here in front of the ‘Ducatisti’. As he crosses that off his sporting bucket list, the question becomes, what isn’t possible for Bulega in this 2026 season?

Looking back on his stunning home round, Bulega said: “It’s been an incredible weekend to remember, a hat trick in Misano in front of all of my home Ducati fans has been incredible. This might be my best weekend since joining WorldSBK, Cremona last year was fantastic, but I live close to here, so it’s even more special. Thank you to everyone who made it so special.”

“It’s a special day, so we need to celebrate in a special way”

While Bulega’s rhetoric this season has been consistent in that the records are not what he sets his sights on, one would be forgiven for not taking him at his word. He built a strong resume for himself over his first two seasons in the Championship, but this one has been another level. H has put his name on the records for the most wins in a row, most podiums in a row, and 21 wins for what has been a perfect 2026 season so far. Now, however, Bulega can say he holds the record for the most consecutive hat tricks with seven, and the most podiums by an Italian rider, passing Melandri with his Tissot Superpole Race win.

On what the accolades mean to him, Bulega said: “It’s incredible to break these records. I don’t think about them too much, but it’s cool to break them. To become the Italian with the most WorldSBK podiums here in Misano makes it even more special. Normally, I don’t celebrate very much, but today was a special day for my team and me. It’s a special day, so we need to celebrate in a special way. It’s almost impossible that I'll finish the season undefeated; one day, someone will beat me. The Championship is what’s important, so second or third wouldn’t be bad.”

Catch Bulega next time out at Donington Park, July 10th! WorldSBK VideoPass! Now 50% off!