Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) extended his run of pole positions in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship to 10 after snatching P1 on the Tissot Superpole timesheets in the latter stages of the 15-minute session. The #11’s run is already an all-time record as he defeated Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) and Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours for the Acerbis French Round.

THE FIRST RUN

Lecuona set a marker on the first run as he posted a 1’34.676s to go more than two tenths clear of teammate Bulega after the #11 set a 1’34.898s to lead a factory Ducati 1-2 in the early stages of Superpole. Provisionally, Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) was on the front row after setting a 1’35.152s, with Lecuona and Bulega the only riders to go into the 1’34s and break the lap record in that stint.

A NEW LAP RECORD

Lecuona was able to improve his time in the second stint, but it was bettered by Bulega who set a 1’34.318s to set a new lap record and deny his teammate a second WorldSBK pole position. Sam Lowes was up in three sectors, but lost time in the final sector, forcing him to settle for P2 behind Bulega with Lecuona demoted to third. Bulega ensured his pole streak continued and is now at 10 in a row, while it’s Ducati’s second pole at Magny-Cours; their first since 2003 with James Toseland. For Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team), it’s his joint-best Superpole result of the season. The results mean Bulega has won the 2026 Tissot Superpole Award.

LEAVING IT LATE

Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) will look to challenge for a podium from fourth on the grid after posting a 1’34.872s, 0.554s slower than Bulega. Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) followed Bulega around on his final lap as he launched up the order from 11^th to fifth, demoting Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) into sixth as the #22 completed the second row. The Bimota rider was 0.906s off Bulega’s time, while he was just four tenths off Montella.

STRONG SHOWINGS BUT CRASHES AND A PENALTY

Tommy Bridewell (Superbike Advocates) was seventh on the timesheets – his best result in the Tissot Superpole session. The #46 looked to compete for the front two rows but had a late crash at Turn 15. Bridewell will start Race 1 from the back of the grid due to a yellow flag infringement. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) had a late crash at Turn 8 but finished eighth on the timesheets, with Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) completing the third row with a 1’35.449s. Jake Dixon (Honda HRC) will launch from a season-best P10 as he leads away the fourth row.

AIMING TO MAKE GAINS

There are several riders who will look to climb the order when lights go out, including Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) from 17^th place and the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team duo of Danilo Petrucci and Miguel Oliveira from 18^th and 19^th respectively.

The top six from WorldSBK Superpole, full results here:

1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) 1’34.318s
2. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +0.168s
3. Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) +0.278s
4. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.554s
5. Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) +0.823s
6. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.906s
   New Lap Record – Nicolo Bulega (Ducati)

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