Bulega's Dominance in Australia: A Clean Sweep and a Strong Start
Bulega's Perfect Start in Australia
Italian rider Nicolo Bulega had a flawless start to his Australian adventure on Monday at Phillip Island. He claimed the top spot in both test sessions, setting a pace that his rivals will be chasing. Bulega, riding for Aruba.it Racing - Ducati, completed a hat-trick at the historic circuit last year and improved his times by half a second compared to the 2025 test, showcasing his consistency and speed.
Bulega's Pace-Setting Performance
Bulega's performance was impressive, as he was the first rider to lap in the 1'29s in both FP1 and FP2. His best time of 1'29.345s, set at the end of FP2, was a clear marker of his dominance. Teammate Iker Lecuona, in 12th place, focused on getting comfortable with his new bike, while Sam Lowes, despite technical issues and a crash, managed to secure third place overall with a time of 1'29.907s.
Impressive Performances from Montella and Baldassarri
Yari Montella from the Barni Spark Racing Team impressed with a fourth-place finish overall, a time of 1'29.921s, and a second-place finish in FP1. Lorenzo Baldassarri, riding for Team GoEleven, claimed seventh place but his time of 1'30.275s in FP1 put him in the top four for that session.
Bassani's Strong Showing
Axel Bassani, riding for bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team, was the lead rider on Monday, setting a time of 1'29.636s in FP2 and claiming second place overall. Teammate Alex Lowes finished sixth, showing a positive start for the Italian manufacturer.
Positive Signs for Gerloff
Garrett Gerloff, riding for the Kawasaki WorldSBK Team, had a strong start with a fifth-place finish in FP1 and a fourth-place finish in FP2, with a time of 1'30.015s. His consistent performance throughout the day was a positive sign for the new ZX-10RR machine.
Yamaha's Charge Led by Vierge
Xavi Vierge, riding for Pata Maxus Yamaha, continued to impress as he adapted to the Yamaha R1. He was the fastest of the six Yamaha riders on Day 1, finishing in ninth place with a time of 1'30.420s in FP1. Teammate Andrea Locatelli, however, finished 18th with a time of 1'31.159s.
Dixon in the Top Ten
Jake Dixon, riding for Honda HRC, had a decent showing, finishing tenth overall with a time of 1'30.492s in FP2. For the Official Test and the Australian Round, Dixon is joined by Tetsuta Nagashima and Ryan Vickers, with Nagashima finishing 19th and Vickers directly behind him.
Oliveira and Petrucci Aiming Higher
Rookie Miguel Oliveira, leading the BMW riders, finished 11th with a time of 1'30.563s in FP2. Teammate Danilo Petrucci, despite being around two seconds off the pace in FP1, improved his time in FP2, finishing 1.3 seconds down on his compatriot.
Full Results and Future Insights
The full results from Day 1 at Phillip Island are available, and with Bulega setting the pace, the 2026 season is shaping up to be an exciting one. Get ready for the opening round using the WorldSBK VideoPass and stay tuned for more thrilling moments!
