Lecuona Takes Cremona Hat‑Trick — Bulega Crowned WorldSBK Champion on Home Soil

It was a weekend of contrasts at the Cremona Circuit. Iker Lecuona was untouchable all Sunday, completing a perfect three‑race sweep, but the day belonged to Nicolo Bulega — the Italian wrapped up his first World Superbike title in front of his home fans, sealing the crown with six races still remaining. There were also doubles, firsts, and title shifts across the support classes. Here’s the full story from the Italian Round.

WorldSBK: Lecuona Flawless — Bulega’s Title Dream Comes True

Superpole Race: Lecuona Holds Firm as Bulega Tests Him

The 10‑lap Tissot Superpole Race set the tone for the day. Lecuona led from pole, but Bulega — opting for the softer SCQ rear tyre — went on the offensive early, briefly snatching the lead at Turn 11. Lecuona responded instantly, diving back down the inside at the final corner to reclaim first place, then steadily pulled away to finish more than two seconds clear.

Behind them, Alberto Surra produced the drive of his life. The 22‑year‑old rookie was under relentless pressure from Yari Montella throughout, and when Montella moved ahead at Turn 11 late in the race, Surra didn’t fold. He fought back on the very next lap, held his line, and reclaimed third to secure his maiden WorldSBK podium — a career milestone in front of his home crowd.

Superpole Race Top 3

Race 2: Hat‑Trick for Lecuona — Title for Bulega

Lecuona was supreme once again, leading all 23 laps from pole to complete a clean sweep — his first career hat‑trick, with fastest laps in every session and race. He built an advantage that stretched to 8.5s by the flag.

Bulega settled into second, his priority clear: bring the bike home and secure the crown. He had to fend off an early charge from Surra in the opening laps before finding his rhythm and managing the gap.

Further back, Yari Montella bounced back from a difficult weekend of crashes to pass Surra on Lap 3 and claim third — his 14th podium of the season. Alex Lowes was the leading non‑Ducati rider in fourth, holding off brother Sam Lowes until Sam crashed at Turn 13 halfway through. Jake Dixon delivered a career‑best sixth — his strongest result since returning from serious wrist surgery and Honda’s best weekend of the campaign.

Race 2 Top 6

Champion Crowned — The Numbers

Bulega’s three second‑place finishes were more than enough. He ends the weekend 133 points clear of Lecuona, with six races remaining. It has been a near‑flawless campaign: 26 wins from 30 races, and a podium in every single start.

Barni Spark Racing also secured the Independent Teams Championship thanks to Montella’s Sunday performance. Montella now holds third in the riders’ standings by a comfortable 43‑point margin.

What They Said

Iker Lecuona — Race 1 & 2 Winner:

“This weekend was perfect. Everything we found on Friday gave me confidence, and from there I just rode strong and smooth. I didn’t expect to have this much of a gap to Nicolo, but he was focused on finishing and securing the title. I’m enjoying every moment — huge thanks to the team.”

Nicolo Bulega — WorldSBK Champion:

“It was emotional. After two crashes on Friday, I just told myself: don’t do anything stupid, bring it home. Crossing the line, the tears came — it’s hard to explain what this means. To win the title in Italy, with Ducati, in front of my people… it’s a dream come true.”

Yari Montella — P3:

“After everything this weekend, to get on the podium means so much. We can’t afford mistakes in this fight for third, so Sunday was exactly what we needed. I’m so proud of the team.”

WorldSSP: Alcoba Doubles Up — Arenas Extends Title Lead

Jeremy Alcoba made it a weekend to remember, backing up his maiden win with a second victory in Race 2 — this time on the penultimate lap. Albert Arenas had led 16 of 20 laps and looked set to take the spoils, but Alcoba stayed patient, waited for his moment, and pounced to cross the line just 0.493s ahead. Tom Booth‑Amos completed the podium despite battling arm pump in the closing stages.

Valentin Debise finished fifth, further adrift of Arenas, who now holds an 86‑point lead with four races left. Yamaha also extended its Manufacturers’ Championship advantage to 92 points — with a maximum of 100 still available, the title is very much within reach.

WorldSSP Race 2 Top 6

Jeremy Alcoba — Double Winner:

“I was more nervous today, but I kept calm. I knew Arenas would be strong, so I paced myself early and waited. To leave Cremona with two wins? I couldn’t have dreamed of this.”

Support Class: Thompson Makes History — Yamaha’s First Win

Eighteen‑year‑old Australian Carter Thompson wrote his name in the record books, delivering Yamaha its first ever victory in the World Sportbike class aboard the YZF‑R7. Starting fourth, he moved to the lead on Lap 4, broke clear of the chasing pack, and set the fastest lap en route to a dominant win — the 10th different victor of the season.

Behind him, the title race tightened dramatically. Xavi Artigas finished second, while championship leader David Salvador was beaten to fifth by just 0.002s by Alvaro Fuertes. The result cuts Salvador’s lead from 30 points to just 12, with only two races remaining. Thompson’s win also lifts him to third overall, two points clear of Antonio Torres.

Support Class Race 2 Top 6

Carter Thompson — Yamaha’s First Winner:

“This is amazing. We struggled in Race 1, but I knew we had the pace. My plan was simple: get to the front and pull clear. To give Yamaha its first win and the team a home victory? I couldn’t be happier.”

Summary

• WorldSBK: Lecuona’s perfect weekend, but Bulega is champion — six races still to run.
• WorldSSP: Alcoba doubles, Arenas closes in on title.
• Support: Thompson delivers Yamaha history, title fight down to 12 points.