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Having pulled back into the paddock for the first time since their 2025 debut at the circuit, the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship rode a round to remember once again. Bulega maintained his perfect form at the top of the timesheets, but elsewhere on the grid and in the paddock’s other Championships, big things were unfolding at the Balaton Park Circuit in the Motul Hungarian Round.

STARTING STRONG: While his round ended early, Oliveira made his podium return at Balaton Park

Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) responded well in Race 1 to the BMW factory team’s tough weekend at Assen. While the team has historically struggled there, both Oliveira and his teammate, Danilo Petrucci, had the worst rounds of their season so far. Turning a new leaf, the #88 was quick from the jump as his 1’38.867s time sent him to P4 on the Race 1 grid. At lights out, he defended his position well, and while Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) made his way past him on his way to a P2 finish, Oliveria disposed of Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team)  and Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) to chase the #7 onto the podium for the first time since his bronze medal hat trick at his home round of Portimao. Sunday would see his luck diminish, however, as he would find himself in the medical centre after ending up on the receiving end of contact between Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) and Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team), sending the Italian’s bike into Oliveira. He was later transported to a local hospital, and has since been diagnosed with fractures to his scapula, ribs, injuries to his shoulder tendons, and a concussion, and has been ruled out of competition next round at Most. In his stead, Michael van der Mark returns to ride for the German factory team.

MAIDEN SUCCESS FOR GARCIA: The Spaniard recovered from a Race 1 crash to climb onto the podium in Race 2.

World Supersport’s Roberto Garcia (GMT94 Yamaha) found his way onto the rostrum for the first time after joining the paddock midway through last season. In what was just his third career WorldSSP round, the #37 performed well in Hungary in 2025, earning fifth and seventh places on the weekend. 2026, however, initially didn’t look as though it would be as fruitful for him, as despite having battled with and beaten Can Oncu (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) for P1, he crashed out of the race at Turn 15 with just three laps to go. Dejected, he returned to his box, clearly affected by the chance for his first race win disappearing under his nose. Determined not to let the opportunity pass, Roberto Garcia came out swinging in Race 2, leaping up to P3 from his P5 grid start by the end of the first lap. He gave chase to Oncu and Albert Arenas (AS BLU CRU Racing Team), hanging with the fellow Yamaha riders, the margin between him and P2 never growing to more than six tenths. Garcia, now with a podium under his belt, will look to battle at the front with more consistency this season.

NEW 2026 HEIGHTS: Madrigal made a splash at Balaton Park

Astrid Madrigal (Pons Italika Racing FIMLA) took her first top ten result this season last round at Assen, scoring a P7 in the weekend’s opening race, and raised the bar once again at Balaton Park. The Mexican rider set off in Race 1 from P11, defending her position from her Chilean teammate, Isis Carreno early on, until making a late move on Tayla Relph (Full Throttle Racing) on the penultimate lap to crack the top ten for the second time in 2026. Race 2 saw her climb even higher, however, as the #83 posted the ninth fastest lap of Race 1, snagging her an improved P9 grid start position. She played her cards well at lights out, taking a line farther to the outside than several of the riders in front of her, like Lucie Boudesseul (GMT94 Yamaha), to make up three positions as she got on the brakes into Turn 1. She defended her spot from riders who went farther outside than she did, such as Pakita Ruiz (PR46+1 Racing Team), to come through the opening chicane in P6. Lap after lap, put distance between her and the pack behind her, the gap up to 3.1s ahead of Boudesseul by Lap 5. She held her pace to finish the weekend in that position, claiming her best result since Race 2 at Cremona last season.

Tune in next round on May 15th as the action continues at Most! Watch Live or OnDemand with the WorldSBK VideoPass, now 30% off!