Race 2 at the EICMA Italian Round saw Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) crowned the 2026 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Champion after what has been an unforgettable campaign. He closes the round with a trio of P2s; rather ironically, and showing how unprecedented his season has been, it spells his worst round of the campaign on paper – however, it’s one that will surely go down as his best after clinching the title on home soil, following in the footsteps of Max Biaggi.
THE JOURNEY
Bulega’s WorldSBK journey began in 2024 after he claimed the 2023 WorldSSP title, and he made an immediate impact by winning Race 1 in Australia. He finished runner-up in 2024, and again in 2025, behind Toprak Razgatlioglu on both occasions. Surely, with a new Panigale V4 R at his disposal, he’d be able to go one better this year? Answer: an emphatic yes. A record-breaking campaign, historic win and pole streaks and an ongoing podium run ensured Bulega was crowned 2026 Champion in Italy – read more about his journey through the WorldSBK paddock here.
An emotional Bulega said, as he struggled to hold back tears of joy, in Parc Ferme: “I’m incredibly happy. I want to say thanks to my team, because they gave me an incredible opportunity. Thanks to them.”
“WHEN I WON THE WORLD SUPERSPORT TITLE, I STARTED TO BELIEVE IN MYSELF AGAIN”
Giving his further thoughts once his achievement had perhaps settled in a bit more, Bulega added: “It’s incredible, when I was young I was in this paddock because my dad had a team in WorldSSP. I was just a child walking in this paddock, watching my idols, Bayliss, Haga, Corser, a lot of incredible riders. This Championship and the WorldSSP title mean a lot to me; I arrived here in a difficult moment. When I won the WorldSSP title, I started to believe in myself again. When I came to WorldSBK, I knew it would be difficult, but I found a team that always believed in me from the first race. It’s incredible; I just want to celebrate. They understood I still had something to give on the motorcycle, and they helped me bring out all my speed again. They helped me not only on the track, but also at home; they always stay close. When you work like that as a team, everything gets easier. I dedicate this to everyone who believed that I had something more to give when I was in my bad moments, and to the guys for the lengths they went to help me.”
“I HAD TO THINK A LOT TODAY. AFTER THE CHEQUERED FLAG I STARTED TO CRY, IT WAS A VERY NICE MOMENT”
He has been practically untouchable this season through the close of the EICMA Italian Round: on the podium in every race, missing the top step only four times, taking all but one pole position, and posting 25 of 29 fastest laps. Over the course of this season, he broke Toprak Razgatlioglu’s 13-race win streak record, raising the bar to 25 in a row, as well as snapping Colin Edwards’ and Toprak Razgatlioglu's streak of 25 consecutive podiums, improving that record to 43.
On his record-breaking year, ‘Bulegas’ stated: “To win here in Cremona is fantastic. In Italy, with Ducati, I'm the first Italian to win the title on a Ducati; and doing it in front of all the people who support me is fantastic. It’s been a fantastic season; this weekend was quite emotional with the opportunity to close the title. It was difficult to manage all the pressure, but in the end we did it. Especially after Friday’s crashes, it was difficult, before the race I was thinking ‘ok, don’t crash, don’t make stupid mistakes, just bring the bike home’. I had to think a lot today. After the chequered flag, I started to cry, it was a very nice moment.”
THE RECORDS HE BROKE ALONG THE WAY…
Most consecutive wins: 25 (previous record: 13)
Wins to start a season: 21 (previous record: 11)
Most consecutive poles: 10 (previous record: 9)
Most consecutive podiums: 43 (previous record: 25)
Most fastest laps: 25 (Previous record: 23)
Most hat-tricks in a single season: 8 (previous record: 6)
AND THE RECORDS HE COULD STILL MATCH OR BREAK…
Most wins in a single campaign (record is 27 by Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) in 2023, Bulega on 26)
Most podiums in a single campaign (record is 34 by Jonathan Rea in 2019, Bulega on 30)
Most poles in a single campaign (record is 11 by Ben Spies in 2009, Bulega on 9)
Watch back through what has been a 2026 campaign for the ages, OnDemand and at your fingertips! Be sure to tune in for the final two rounds of the season, starting with Estoril on Friday, October 9th WorldSBK VideoPass! Now 70% off!