"We have to go to Australia and we will see there" – Bulega left with questions after limited 2026 dry testing
The 2025 runner-up is left shaking his head after poor weather limited the progress he and his team could make so far this preseason
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) appeared in only one of the two days of testing at the Portimao Test, after doing the same in the previous Jerez Test; but the Italian wasted little time in reasserting himself atop the order with his P1 on Day 2 in Portimao. The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship season opener is now less than a month away, and Bulega, like many other riders have many questions about their packages.
EXTREME WEATHER: “The conditions were a bit extreme, it's cold, windy and very wet, so I did some laps just to check if everything is ok, but now we're going to Australia”
Across the four days of testing so far in this 2026 preseason, there have been roughly 2 hours of mixed conditions track time. The rest of the time on track has been wet and dreary, far from ideal for riding, much less testing a new bike. Bulega was lucky to have some time atop the new model back in 2025 for a more comprehensive shakedown; he and his team will have to wait for the Australia test.
On the preseason so far, Bulega said: “This winter we were very very unlucky with the weather, today was the last day, but it rained again. Before Australia, we decided we should run some laps, but the conditions were a bit extreme, it's cold, windy and very wet, so I did some laps just to check if everything is ok, but now we're going to Australia. The bike is new, so it was important to ride even though it was wet, but these strange conditions aren't very useful.”
LAST MINUTE SHAKEDOWNS: “I hope for good weather, the goal is to spend a lot of time on track and run a lot of laps”
Now receiving a new and improved 2026 Ducati Panigale V4 R, the bike has a clear upside; however, so far this offseason, there has been very, very little dry time for him to break it in. He and the rest of the grid will hold their breath as they hope for dry conditions for their two-day official test, which will take place only days before the season debut.
Looking forward, Bulega said: “When you have a new bike, it's very important to run a lot of laps to get familiar with the bike and to give data for the guys in the box to check if everything is working well, but unfortunately we couldn't really ride this winter, so we have to go to Australia and we will see there. It'll be very important, I hope for good weather, the goal is to spend a lot of time on track and run a lot of laps. I'm confident for Philip Island, it's my favourite track, I like it, and I'm looking forward to being there and pushing from the very first lap.”
Can Bulega iron out his 2026 package’s wrinkles by the start of the race weekend, or will another rider seize the advantage? Find out with the WorldSBK VideoPass!
