A packed crowd of 82,132 fans filled the stands at the Algarve International Circuit for the Portuguese Round, and they were treated to a weekend full of action across all classes. Local favourite Miguel Oliveira gave the home supporters plenty to cheer about, securing three consistent podium finishes. However, it was Nicolo Bulega who truly stole the spotlight, delivering a flawless performance for Aruba.it Racing – Ducati and confirming himself as the rider to beat.
Race 2 Highlights
Starting from pole position, Bulega once again showed complete control, leading every lap and managing the race with confidence. By the chequered flag, he had built a gap of just under two seconds, sealing his tenth consecutive victory. That achievement places him alongside some of the greatest names in WorldSBK history, including Jonathan Rea, Toprak Razgatlioglu, and Alvaro Bautista.
Behind him, Iker Lecuona didn’t have the cleanest start, dropping back to fourth on the opening lap. But he quickly recovered, working his way through the field and moving into second place by Lap 4 after passing Oliveira and Alex Lowes. From there, Lecuona settled into a strong rhythm to secure another impressive result for Ducati.
The fight for third place kept fans on edge throughout the race. Oliveira had to defend hard over the full 20 laps, with constant pressure from Lowes. In the end, the Portuguese rider held firm, rewarding the home crowd with another podium finish after a determined and controlled ride.
Further down the order, Sam Lowes capped off a consistent weekend by finishing fifth, while Lorenzo Baldassarridelivered one of the standout performances of the race. Starting from the fourth row, he carved his way through the pack to claim sixth, continuing his strong early-season form.
There was disappointment for Yari Montella and Bautista, both of whom crashed at Turn 5 while showing promising pace. The same corner also caught out Xavi Vierge earlier in the race. Meanwhile, Andrea Locatelli completed a quieter weekend with a ninth-place finish.
Championship Picture
With six wins from six races so far, Bulega has stretched his lead in the standings to a commanding 56 points over teammate Lecuona. Axel Bassani slips to third overall after finishing eighth in both races on Sunday.
Sam Lowes now leads the Independent Riders’ standings thanks to his trio of fifth-place finishes, underlining his consistency. In the Manufacturers’ battle, Ducati’s perfect start has given them a 50-point advantage over their closest rivals, bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team.
Rider Reactions
Bulega (P1)
Bulega described the weekend as one of his most satisfying yet, especially after early struggles with bike setup. By Sunday, the improvements made by the team allowed him to ride with far more confidence, which translated into dominant performances in both the Superpole Race and Race 2. He credited the team’s persistence and hard work for turning things around.
Lecuona (P2)
Lecuona was encouraged by his pace, noting that he was much closer to Bulega than before. However, he admitted that his starts remain an area to improve. He also highlighted the significance of Ducati locking out the top two positions in all three races—a first for the team.
Oliveira (P3)
Oliveira was pleased to secure three podium finishes at his home round, even if he acknowledged the challenge of matching the pace of the Ducati riders. His race-long duel with Alex Lowes added to the excitement, and he sees the weekend as a clear step forward.
Race 2 Results
- Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
- Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +1.967s
- Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +7.096s
- Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +7.265s
- Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +10.079s
- Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) +15.105s
Superpole Race Recap
Earlier in the day, Bulega had already laid down a marker with a lights-to-flag victory in the Superpole Race. Setting a new lap record in the process, he once again proved untouchable, finishing nearly two seconds clear.
Lecuona had to fight back after another slow start, climbing from fourth to second by overtaking both Lowes and Oliveira midway through the race. Oliveira once again completed the podium.
Bautista, starting from the fourth row, managed to salvage ninth place and a single point, which also secured him a third-row start for Race 2.
Supersport: Debise delivers double victory
In the Supersport class, Valentin Debise emerged as the standout performer. Riding for ZXMOTO Factory Evan Bros Racing, he completed a clean sweep of the weekend with two wins.
Race 2 featured a tightly packed lead group, with five riders battling for the podium. Debise made his move on the final lap, pulling clear by just under a second to secure victory.
Jaume Masia finished second, while Albert Arenas claimed third after a race-long scrap. The GMT94 Yamaha duo of Lucas Mahias and Roberto García completed the top five.
Debise later explained that changing wind conditions made the race unpredictable, forcing him to push early to avoid slipstream battles.
Race 2 Results
1. Valentin Debise (ZXMOTO Factory Evan Bros Racing)
2. Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) +0.720s
3. Albert Arenas (AS BLU CRU Racing Team) +1.487s
4. Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) +1.508s
5. Roberto García (GMT94 Yamaha) +1.547s
6. Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) +6.486s
Championship Standings
1. Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) 71 points
2. Albert Arenas (AS BLU CRU Racing Team) 65
3. Valentin Debise (ZXMOTO Factory Evan Bros Racing) 50
4. Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) 45
5. Roberto García (GMT94 Yamaha) 41
6. Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) 37
Sportbike: Veneman leads Kawasaki dominance
The new Sportbike class also delivered a thrilling contest. Loris Veneman claimed his first win after starting from pole, edging out David Salvador by just 0.060 seconds in a dramatic finish.
Antonio Torres completed the podium, less than a tenth behind the winner, while Xavi Artigas followed closely in fourth. The top ten riders were separated by just over a second at the flag, highlighting how competitive the new category has already become.
Kawasaki’s strong showing resulted in a podium lockout and a healthy lead in the manufacturers’ standings after the opening round.
Race 2 Results
1. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki)
2. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) +0.060s
3. Antonio Torres (Team ProDina XCI) +0.094s
4. Xavi Artigas (MTM Kawasaki) +0.140s
5. Elia Bartolini (CM Triumph Factory Racing) +0.182s
6. Jeffrey Buis (Track & Trades Wixx Racing)
Championship standings
1. Antonio Torres (Team ProDina Kawasaki XCI) 41 points
2. David Salvador (Team ProDina Kawasaki XCI) 40
3. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) 32
4. Xavi Artigas (MTM Kawasaki) 24
5. Ferre Fleerackers (Track & Trades Wixx Racing) 23
6. Jeffrey Buis (Track & Trades Wixx Racing) 23
Overall Takeaway
Across all categories, the Portimão weekend showcased high-level competition, tight battles, and standout individual performances. Ducati’s dominance in WorldSBK, led by Bulega, remains the headline story, while emerging talents and close racing in Supersport and Sportbike suggest an exciting season ahead.
