Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) claimed victory in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship’s Tissot Superpole Race as he extended his winning run, now only one short of the all-time record of 13. He beat Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) and Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) at the iconic TT Circuit Assen as they secured their place on the front row for Race 2 at the Pirelli Dutch Round.

BULEGA WINS FROM LECUONA: Closing in on history…

Bulega grabbed the holeshot when the lights went out for the 10-lap race as teammate Lecuona leapfrogged Sam Lowes into P2 at Turn 1 as they settled into their rhythm in the early stages, looking to repeat the Race 1 rostrum. They were able to build a gap to the riders behind to secure podium places, with the #11 extending his winning run to 12 races, only one behind the all-time record of 13 set by Toprak Razgatlioglu, while Lecuona made it five consecutive rostrums – all P2 finishes, behind his teammate. For Sam Lowes, he made it two podiums in 2026 and seven in his WorldSBK career as they secured a front row start for Race 2.

FIGHTING FOR POSITION: Bautista beats Alex Lowes, race-long fight for P6

Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) was on the charge in the early stages as he passed Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) at Turn 16 and Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) at Turn 1 on consecutive laps to move into P4. The #22 initially pulled a gap over the #19 but Bautista was able to close the gap and attempted to pass Alex Lowes on Lap 8 at Turn 16, but the Brit defended well, although the Spaniard made the move at Turn 1 on Lap 9. That enabled Bautista to finish P4 with Alex Lowes in P5. The fight for P6 was fierce and it was Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) who stole it on the final lap to secure a second row start.

SECURING A TOP-NINE FINISH: Petrucci misses out on P6 on the final lap

Danilo Petrucci (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) finished in seventh after losing out to Vierge on the final lap, with Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) fighting back into eighth place; he finished 0.001s behind ‘Petrux’ at the line. The third row in Race 2 will be completed by Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha). After a strong start, ‘Loka’ was running in the top five in the early stages, before dropping down the order. He had to give up a position when running in P9 due to irresponsible riding, letting Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) through at Turn 5 on Lap 10, but the #55 snatched P9 back on the final lap.

The top nine from WorldSBK Tissot Superpole Race, full results here:

1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati)
2. Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) +1.742s
3. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +2.632s
4. Álvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) +6.219s
5. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +6.373s
6. Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +9.318s
7. Danilo Petrucci (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +9.432s
8. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +9.433s
9. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +11.347s
Fastest lap: Nicolo Bulega (Ducati) – 1’32.357s, new lap record

Next up, Race 2! Watch every moment from Assen at 15:30 Local Time (UTC+2) LIVE and UNINTERRUPTED using the WorldSBK VideoPass!