#WorldSBK – Bulega continues to break records at Estoril
The Tissot Estoril Round in Portugal marked the second-to-last round of the 2026 WorldSBK season, attracting 36,257 fans. Nicolo Bulega and the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team dominated the event, with Bulega achieving his ninth hat-trick of the season.
In Race 2, Bulega showcased an impressive performance, taking the lead from Iker Lecuona shortly after the start and maintaining a nearly five-second lead by the finish line. This victory was Bulega’s 29th of the season, allowing him to amass 664 points, setting new records in the WorldSBK history.
Lecuona, who had a strong start and secured the holeshot in all three races, was Bulega’s main competitor but could only hold the lead for six corners before Bulega overtook him. A notable crash by Alvaro Bautista, who lost control while pursuing a podium, allowed Alberto Surra to claim third place, unseating Bautista who was aiming for his first podium finish since earlier in the season. Yari Montella, starting from the fourth row, fought his way up to finish seventh, securing the Best Independent Rider Award for 2026.
Miguel Oliveira experienced a challenging race. After starting in fourth, he fell to 13th due to an error on Lap 1 but managed to recover to finish eighth in front of his hometown crowd.
In the championship standings, Bulega holds a commanding 146-point lead over Lecuona with three races left. Montella has extended his lead over Alex Lowes in the battle for third place in the Riders’ Championship to 53 points, with only 62 points available in the final round at Jerez. Ducati’s continued success keeps them unbeaten in 2026, aiming for their first perfect season since 2003.
Bulega expressed his satisfaction with the weekend, noting the good feeling and strong pace in Race 2. He commended his team for their improvements and looked forward to the final round in Jerez. Lecuona acknowledged the challenges he faced during the weekend, particularly his earlier mistakes, while also recognizing the bike’s improved performance in Race 2. Surra was pleased with his results, highlighting his strong grip on the tires and his ability to pass Bautista, though he anticipated difficulties on the Jerez circuit due to his riding style.
