Nicolo Bulega Confident and Comfortable Ahead of Misano WorldSBK Round
Ducati rider Nicolo Bulega is feeling confident and comfortable ahead of the upcoming WorldSBK round at Misano, his home race, after testing positive at the same track. The young Italian rider put in an impressive performance during the two-day tests, finishing second on day one and third on day two, showing clear progress in his adaptation to the bike and the category.
Despite challenges at Assen, where he was unable to match the pace of teammates Alvaro Bautista and Toprak Razgatlioglu, Bulega showed marked improvement at Misano. “I am satisfied with this test because we improved my feeling on the bike,” said Bulega. “I’m not 100% yet, but better than day one.”
During the test, Bulega experimented with different settings on the bike, which proved effective, giving him more confidence for the Misano race. “We tried something different that I liked and went in a good direction. Today we focus on finding different adjustments to the bike. I feel more comfortable on the bike. We just have to work on it and improve my feelings. The feeling on the bike is not necessarily better, but my position on the bike is.”
The Italian rider is excited to race in his home country, stressing the importance of racing on a familiar track with an Italian bike. “I think we can start working from this position to improve my feelings. I think we are on the right track. It will be special to be Italian with an Italian bike. That would be nice.”
Bulega also emphasised the importance of local support and how it can positively affect your performance. “A home run always brings a special feeling. The energy and support of the Italian fans are unique, and it gives me an extra boost. I want to do my best and have a good race for them.”
Meanwhile, another driver who stood out during the test was Michael Van Der Mark. Although he struggled with the weather, the Dutchman managed to make some important adjustments to his bike. Commenting on the test, Van Der Mark said, “We had clear things to test. Whenever we wanted to try something in the morning, it started raining. It was a long day. At the end of the day, we had two hours of dryness, but that is never enough. It’s always beneficial to ride together [with Razgatlioglu]. You can always learn and improve. We want to improve this package, so sometimes you have to step up.”
With both drivers focused on improving their settings and performance, the Misano round promises to be exciting. Bulega, in particular, is determined to show his potential and take advantage of his home ground. With careful preparation and precise adjustments, Nicolo Bulega hopes to have an unforgettable race at Misano, reaffirming his position as one of WorldSBK’s most promising rookies.
WorldSBK fans will be keen to see if Bulega’s positive tests at Misano translate into a solid performance in official competition as he continues his journey of growth and success in the category.