Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) claimed his 50^th MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship victory ahead of Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) and teammate Iker Lecuona at the Circuito de Jerez - Angel Nieto, Andalucia. The #11 now sits just two wins behind three-time Champion Troy Bayliss, while he also equalled a long-standing Jonathan Rea record with his victory at the Pirelli Spanish Round.

BULEGA MAKES IT 50 WORLD SUPERBIKE WINS

Sam Lowes initially got a great launch when the lights went out and challenged Bulega for the lead at Turn 1, although the #11 was able to hold on to the lead. The British rider continued to challenge across the opening lap, before ‘Bulegas’ started to build a gap. Lecuona did not get away well and had to defend from Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team), but the #7 got some breathing room when Montella and Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) started battling. By Lap 7, Sam Lowes had ensured his gap to Lecuona was over a second while he trailed Bulega by more than 1.5 seconds. Lecuona appeared to be struggling with pace and ran wide at Turn 12, allowing Montella through on Lap 7, before responding up the inside at Turn 13. After that, Lecuona stabilised his pace to ensure his podium streak continues by coming home in third, behind Bulega and Sam Lowes. It was Bulega’s 50^th win in WorldSBK, putting him just two behind Bayliss, and he did it in 106 races; the quickest rider to reach such a margin. The previous record was Bayliss, whose 50^th win came in his 150^th race. It was also his 34^th podium of the season, matching Rea's record from 2019. Sam Lowes secured his 15^th podium in WorldSBK, while P3 was Lecuona’s 32^nd rostrum.

BAUTISTA CLIMBS FROM NINTH TO FOURTH

Montella was forced to settle for fourth until the latter stages, but Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) demoted him into fifth on Lap 18 with an aggressive move at Turn 5 to move ahead of his teammate and into fourth. Montella finished in fifth and, crucially, Alex Lowes to secure third place in the standings. Bautista’s charge from ninth involved passing Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) and Alex Lowes on Laps 10 and 12 at Turn 1, before he chased down his teammate. Surra finished in sixth ahead of Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven), with ‘Balda’ getting ahead of the Bimota rider on Lap 17 at Turn 6. He had a pace advantage over Surra heading onto the final lap, but the Motocorsa Ducati rider was able to resist Baldassarri.

BOTH BIMOTAS IN THE TOP TEN

Alex Lowes finished behind the two battling Independent Ducatis as he came home in eighth despite putting up a formidable fight against those around him. Tommy Bridewell (Superbike Advocates) finished in ninth with Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) completing the top ten, 2.4 seconds down on Bridewell.

SCORING POINTS IN RACE 1

Jake Dixon (Honda HRC) continued his points-scoring streak with 11^th but he had to hold on against Loris Baz (MGM Optical Express Racing) who finished just 0.150s before the Honda rider. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) finished in 13^th place, just 0.009s clear of Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) in 14^th, while Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) rounded out the points-paying positions.

JUST MISSING OUT

Somkiat Chantra (Honda HRC) just missed out on a point in Race 1 as he finished 0.488s down on Gardner. Danilo Petrucci (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was 17^th ahead of Stefano Manzi (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), Twan Smits (Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) and teammate Mattia Rato.

RETIREMENTS FROM RACE 1

Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) was fighting for the top ten but his race came to a fiery end on Lap 8, with the #97 immediately taking his bike off track. Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) retired at the end of Lap 9 when he brought his bike into the pits.

The top six from WorldSBK Race 1, full results here:

1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati)
2. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +1.657s
3. Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) +2.853s
4. Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) +5.328s
5. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +6.615s
6. Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) +12.074s
   Fastest lap: Nicolo Bulega (Ducati), 1'38.195s

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