Bulega’s Dominant Win Sets Up Championship Showdown for Final Day at Jerez

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Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) produced a flawless Saturday at Jerez, delivering a performance that keeps the WorldSBK title fight alive until the very last day of the season. The Italian not only smashed the lap record during the Superpole session but also led every lap of Race 1 to claim a commanding victory at the 4.423 km Andalusian circuit.

Race 1 Highlights

Starting from pole, Bulega briefly lost the lead when the lights went out, but he wasted no time striking back. A decisive dive up the inside of Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) at Turn 5 restored his advantage. Once ahead, the Ducati rider never looked back, controlling the race pace with precision and consistency. By the chequered flag, Bulega held a lead of nearly four seconds, underlining his dominance.

Razgatlioglu, who had initially been overtaken at Turn 5, made an uncharacteristic error at the following corner. Heavy braking into Turn 6 forced his BMW wide, and he was quickly under attack, slipping to third at the end of the opening lap. However, the Turkish star regrouped swiftly, reclaiming second place from Andrea Iannone on Lap 2 and managing the remainder of the race to secure a solid runner-up finish.

The fight for the final podium spot proved intense and dramatic. For most of the race, Iannone (Team Pata Go Eleven) fought tooth and nail to defend third, fending off multiple attacks from Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team), Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC), and Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati). Eventually, it was Bautista who broke through Iannone’s resistance, charging from seventh on the grid to claim his sixth consecutive podium finish.

Bautista, ninth at the end of Lap 1, methodically worked his way forward. By mid-distance, he swept past both Vierge and Lowes with bold moves into Turn 1. Despite brief counterattacks, the reigning champion’s superior pace proved too strong, securing him third place by the flag.

There was disappointment for Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha), who suffered a high-speed crash at Turn 4 on Lap 2 while running inside the top ten. Fortunately, the six-time World Champion was unhurt and will start tomorrow’s Tissot Superpole Race from sixth on the grid.

Championship Picture

The title fight now hangs on a knife’s edge. Razgatlioglu holds a 34-point lead over Bulega, meaning the BMW rider needs just three points in Sunday’s races to secure his third WorldSBK crown.

Meanwhile, Bautista’s podium keeps him third in the overall standings, 13 points clear of Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha). In the Manufacturers’ standings, Ducati has reduced BMW’s advantage to just eight points, ensuring both titles remain open heading into the season’s finale.

Rider Reactions

P1 – Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)

“Our target was to win today, and we achieved that. Tomorrow will be tough, but racing is unpredictable — we’ll fight until the end. The team made a great step from yesterday, and my Superpole lap this morning felt amazing. I felt really strong in Race 1 and very comfortable with the bike. I’ll aim to win both races tomorrow and see what happens in the championship — nothing is impossible.”

P2 – Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)

“We had a good start, but at Turn 5 Bulega touched me slightly — that’s racing. After that, I tried to brake late at Turn 6, but I made a mistake and ran wide. I focused on recovering second place and tried to chase Bulega, but his pace was incredible today. I’m happy with P2, and now we’ll check the data to improve the bike. I’m struggling a little with engine braking and traction, but we’ll work to fix that. Tomorrow, I’ll try to win before thinking about the title.”

P3 – Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)

“That was a really fun race with some great battles. I had a couple of scary moments — especially at Turn 2, where I was almost on the ground! Thankfully, I saved it with my elbow. It’s not easy for me being small to do that! My team made a key setup change this morning, and it completely transformed my feeling with the bike. I could push harder and enjoy the race — I’m really happy.”

Race 1 Results – WorldSBK

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +3.766s
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +9.569s
Andrea Iannone (Team Pata Go Eleven) +11.221s
Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC) +12.272s
Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +12.755s
Fastest Lap: Bulega (Ducati) – 1’38.737

Manzi’s Last-Corner Magic Steals the Show in WorldSSP

The penultimate World Supersport race of the year delivered a thriller at Jerez, featuring eight lead changes between three riders. Newly crowned champion Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) — running his signature golden #62 this weekend — took a sensational victory after a daring last-corner overtake on Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team). Starting from the third row, Manzi powered to his 11th win of the season in classic, hard-fought style.

Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) completed the podium after Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) received a post-race penalty for exceeding track limits at the final corner. The lead group of five riders ran nose-to-tail for the entire race, with Alberto Surra (Oncu’s teammate) rounding out the top five, only 1.6 seconds behind the winner.

Further back, Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) delivered a remarkable comeback — climbing from the seventh row to finish seventh. His strong pace late in the race ensures he’ll start from the third row in tomorrow’s Race 2. Oncu will start from pole after setting the fastest lap of the race.

Championship Highlights

Masia’s penalty proved costly, dropping him two points behind Booth-Amos in their battle for third overall in the WorldSSP standings.

P1 – Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing)

“That was a really close race with lots of overtakes. With five laps to go, I took the lead, and from there I fought with Jeremy all the way to the final corner. The wind made Turn 1 tricky, especially without the slipstream. I made an old-school move at the last corner — a little bit of contact, but clean and fair. Winning like that felt amazing! Tomorrow will be emotional with the special Yamaha livery, and I’ll do my best to honour it with another strong result.”

Race 1 Results – WorldSSP

Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing)
Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team) +0.051s
Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) +0.329s
Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) +0.400s
Alberto Surra (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) +1.625s
Mattia Casadei (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) +2.675s
Fastest Lap: Oncu (Yamaha) – 1’42.702

WorldSSP300 Title Battle Blows Wide Open After Red-Flagged Race

A dramatic WorldSSP300 Race 1 at Jerez was halted by a red flag following a three-rider collision at Turn 1. After the restart, a five-lap sprint to the finish saw Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300) convert pole position into victory, narrowly defeating David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) in a photo finish by just 0.019 seconds.

Salvador had launched a last-lap attack, but Vannucci held firm on the drag to the line to take his third win of the season. Daniel Mogeda (Pons Motosport Italika Racing) completed the podium in third, only 0.248s behind the winner.

Further drama unfolded behind them. A Turn 2 incident in the early stages saw Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki) restart from 30th on the grid, but the Australian mounted a stunning comeback to finish eighth, scoring eight vital championship points.

Championship leader Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove) endured a disastrous race, dropping out of the points after late contact with Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki). Veneman was later penalized for irresponsible riding, handing Fernandez a single point in 15th — potentially crucial in the title fight.

Championship Outlook

Heading into the final race, just three points separate Fernandez, Thompson, and Salvador, setting up a nail-biting decider. Vannucci remains mathematically in contention but trails by 21 points, meaning he must win Race 2 and hope for a dramatic twist in fortunes ahead.

P1 – Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300)

“The red flag made everything complicated — five laps isn’t much time to find rhythm. I just told myself: push, push, push! I gave everything, and it paid off. I’m very happy with this win and grateful to AG Motorsport Italia for the amazing work. Tomorrow, I’ll give it everything again and fight for the title, even if it’s difficult.”