2003 World Champion Neil Hodgson was on the grid at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” and the Brit discussed Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) in the #11’s record-breaking MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship campaign. ‘Bulegas’ has won 21 races in 2026 and is well on his way to being crowned World Champion this season.
Hodgson claimed the 2003 title for Ducati and had a similar start to Bulega’s campaign this year. Hodgson, who now commentates on MotoGP for UK TV coverage, won the first nine races of the season, and 11 of the first 12, before a barren spell of eight races without a win. However, in five of those races, he finished in second, ensuring his Championship lead was not diminished. He beat Ruben Xaus to the title by 103 points after the 12-round, 24-race season.
Bulega’s win streak, only accounting for 2026, is up to 21 races having taken seven hat-tricks in seven rounds this season. He’s got the second-most wins in a single campaign, tied with Toprak Razgatlioglu last year, and is six away from the all-time record of 27 (set by Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) in 2023), with 15 races left in 2026.
Discussing Bulega’s season on the Race 2 grid at Misano, Hodgson said: “I think he’s got such a lead now, it’s almost like the pressure’s off. I had a good start to my season but then I crashed quite early on and then lost a bit of confidence. If you watch Bulega around the track, he rides absolutely perfect. He gets the most out of the bike and he’s clearly confident. He doesn’t look like he’s going to make a mistake. It must feel fantastic being him!”
The 2003 Champion also made a comparison to Marc Marquez’s incredible start to the 2014 MotoGP campaign. In just his second season in the premier class, the #93 started his title defence with 10 consecutive victories as he made it two titles in two MotoGP campaigns. Of course, Marquez has since gone on to win seven MotoGP titles, adding to his 125cc and Moto2 Championships from 2010 and 2012.
Speaking more about Bulega’s campaign, Hodgson added: “It’s got its own qualities because we’re experience something unique. I said this many years ago when Marc Marquez won the first 10 races in MotoGP in 2014, you have to admire the talent and skill. You’re watching rider and machine in perfect harmony, so enjoy it while it lasts.”
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