Cremona Showdown: Bulega Seeks Redemption as Razgatlioglu Closes In
As the 2025 WorldSBK season heads into Round 4, the stage is set for an intense battle at Cremona. Italy’s Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) enters his home round at the top of the standings, but with Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) gaining ground, the pressure is on.
Bulega Leads Despite Setbacks
Bulega leads the World Championship with 136 points and four victories from the first three rounds. However, the Ducati rider is eager to bounce back after a frustrating double DNF at Assen due to technical gremlins. With home support on his side and fond memories of the Cremona layout—where he claimed pole position last year—Bulega will be determined to return to winning ways.
Razgatlioglu on the Charge
Sitting just 21 points behind Bulega, Toprak Razgatlioglu remains very much in the title hunt. The Turkish rider has 115 points to his name and arrives at Cremona after securing a Superpole Race win at Assen. Although he missed last year’s Cremona round due to injury, his recent form suggests he’s capable of adapting quickly to new circuits. Another strong weekend could see him close the championship gap even further.
Locatelli Riding High After First Win
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) is another rider riding a wave of momentum. Fresh off his maiden WorldSBK win, Locatelli is third overall with 107 points. With Cremona serving as a home round, he’ll be hoping to channel the energy of the Italian fans and continue his strong form.
Bautista and Petrucci Keep the Pressure On
Two-time WorldSBK Champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) currently holds fourth place in the standings with 86 points. While he hasn’t hit his stride just yet in 2025, Bautista’s experience and consistency make him a threat every race weekend.
Fifth in the standings is Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team), who returns to Cremona with high expectations. Last season, the Italian stunned the paddock with a clean sweep of all three races at the circuit—a feat that remains his only trio of WorldSBK victories to date.
Revisiting Cremona: Where History Was Made
Ducati Dominance in 2024
Cremona made its WorldSBK debut in 2024 and proved to be a happy hunting ground for Ducati. Eight out of nine podium positions were claimed by Ducati riders, underlining the Italian manufacturer’s dominance. The only non-Ducati podium came courtesy of Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team), who finished second in the Superpole Race.
Podium Familiarity
In addition to Petrucci’s triple win, the 2024 podiums also featured Bulega, Bautista, Andrea Iannone (Team Pata Go Eleven), and Alex Lowes. Bulega secured pole with an impressive 1’27.953, showcasing his comfort and pace at the circuit—something he’ll look to replicate this year.
Records and Rising Stakes
Toprak Razgatlioglu’s latest win at Assen has brought him within two victories of Alvaro Bautista’s career tally of 63—second on the all-time WorldSBK wins list. As the season progresses, the race for records becomes just as captivating as the fight for the championship.
Meanwhile, for the first time since 2021, Bautista is not leading the Championship after three rounds. That season, he was only 11th at this point, highlighting the evolving competitive landscape of 2025.
Petrucci Reflects on Magical 2024 Weekend
Danilo Petrucci remains one of the standout stories from Cremona’s WorldSBK debut:
“I really like the Cremona Circuit. It was actually a surprise for me last year—I found myself feeling really comfortable there. It’s quite fast and flowing, and I especially enjoy the first four or five corners that run right through the middle of the grandstands. It’s always packed with fans, and that makes it even more special.
It’s also our home race as a team, and it’s a great place to compete because the crowd is full of people who are truly passionate about racing. Last year was incredible—we won all the races. This year will be much more difficult, but the goal remains the same as always: fight for the podium. That’s what we’ll try to do.”
WorldSSP: Manzi Looks to Extend Championship Lead on Home Turf
Championship Standings and Italian Expectations
In the World Supersport category, Italy’s Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) leads the Championship with 125 points heading into Cremona. He holds a 14-point advantage over Bo Bendsneyder (MV Agusta Reparto Corse), who is preparing for his own team’s home round.
Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) sits third in the standings with 64 points, just behind Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU cRU Evan Bros Team), who occupies fourth with 77 points after an impressive win at Assen.
Historical Context at Cremona
Manzi is the only rider in the current WorldSSP field to have previously won at Cremona, giving him a valuable edge this weekend. Meanwhile, Booth-Amos also has podium history at the circuit, having made it onto the rostrum during last year’s inaugural Supersport round at the Italian venue.
Final Thoughts
With the championship battles heating up across both WorldSBK and WorldSSP, all eyes turn to Cremona. For Bulega, it’s a chance at redemption. For Razgatlioglu, an opportunity to close the gap. And for Petrucci, it’s a shot at repeating magic on familiar asphalt. Whether it’s home heroes or rising stars, the Cremona weekend is set to deliver high drama once again.
Official WorldSBK Press Release
