Nicolo Bulega Dominates Chaotic WSBK Italy FP1 at Cremona with Positive Signals

Nicolo Bulega

Nicolo Bulega Shines Amidst Chaos in WSBK Italy FP1: A Positive Signal at Cremona

Cremona, Italy – The opening free practice session (FP1) of the World Superbike (WSBK) Italian round at the Cremona Circuit on Friday, May 2, 2025, proved to be a challenging affair, marked by numerous crashes and unexpected incidents. Yet, amidst this chaotic backdrop, Aruba.it Ducati rider Nicolo Bulega emerged as the standout performer, topping the timing sheets with a fastest lap of 1:29.158. His dominant performance at his home circuit sent a clear and positive signal about his championship intentions and the capabilities of his Ducati Panigale V4 R.

The Cremona Circuit, known for its predominantly left-hand turns, including the particularly tricky sections of Turns 4, 5, and 6, presented a stern test for the WSBK contingent. The track is also recognized as one of the busiest in Europe, frequently utilized for various track day events, which can influence track conditions and grip levels. This inherent complexity, combined with the pressure of a home race for several Italian riders and teams, added an extra layer of intensity to the session.

The session began with immediate drama as Andrea Iannone suffered an early incident. Despite the crash, Iannone displayed remarkable resilience, managing to bring his bike back to the pit lane, a testament to his determination and the robustness of the modern Superbike machines. The chaos continued when reigning champion Alvaro Bautista, pushing hard to break into the top 10, also experienced a high-speed crash. These early incidents underscored the challenging nature of the Cremona circuit and the fine margins at which these elite riders operate.

Initially, it was Toprak Razgatlioglu who set the first benchmark for the session, demonstrating the immediate pace of his BMW. However, his time was soon eclipsed by Danilo Petrucci, who showcased strong form on his Ducati. The BMW rider then dropped to third, finding himself behind Scott Redding, indicating a tightly contested session from the outset.

For Nicolo Bulega, racing at Cremona was particularly significant as it is his home circuit. The desire to perform well and potentially secure a victory in front of his home crowd provided an additional layer of motivation. Despite this, Bulega admitted to a slight struggle in the initial stages of the session, finding himself outside the top three. It took him a focused eight minutes to make his decisive move, first jumping to second position, and then meticulously climbing to the very top of the leaderboard. Petrucci and Sam Lowes trailed closely behind him, indicating the intense battle at the sharp end of the field.

The session also marked a significant comeback for Jonathan Rea, who returned to action after a lengthy absence due to a left leg injury. Starting from 18th position, Rea showed glimpses of his renowned tenacity, managing to climb six places during the session. His presence back on track, despite the lingering effects of injury, was a welcome sight for fans and a testament to his enduring commitment to the sport.

However, the session's high incident rate continued. Michael van der Mark suffered a slide at Turn 11, which resulted in the front fairing of his bike detaching. Visibly frustrated, van der Mark expressed his annoyance with a clear gesture before leaving the run-off area, carrying the damaged fairing with him. Adding to the list of crashes, Danilo Petrucci, who had been incredibly fast and was second on the timesheets, also fell at Turn 2 with only 15 minutes remaining in the session. This incident was particularly disappointing for the Italian rider, who, like Bulega, was aiming for a strong performance at his home event. Ryan Vickers also became a victim of the challenging track, adding his name to the growing list of riders experiencing tumbles.

Baca Juga

In the final six minutes of the session, Toprak Razgatlioglu managed to improve his lap time, moving back into third position, showcasing his ability to find pace even in demanding conditions. Xavi Vierge, another Honda representative, also made a significant improvement, climbing to P6. His Honda teammate, Iker Lecuona, a former MotoGP rider, managed to outperform Vierge, making an impressive jump from sixth position to fourth, further highlighting the evolving competitiveness of the Honda package.

As the checkered flag fell, Nicolo Bulega remained firmly at the top of the timing sheets, his fastest lap standing strong against all challengers. Danilo Petrucci, despite his crash, held on to a commendable second place, a testament to his earlier rapid pace. The top 10 was completed by a strong contingent of riders: Razgatlioglu in third, Lecuona in fourth, Sam Lowes in fifth, Alex Lowes in sixth, Vierge in seventh, Andrea Locatelli in eighth, Remy Gardner in ninth, and Axel Bassani rounding out the top ten.

Bulega’s performance in FP1 was more than just setting the fastest lap; it was a positive signal for his championship campaign. To dominate a session fraught with crashes and challenging conditions, especially at a circuit known for its complexity, speaks volumes about his focus, confidence, and the setup of his Ducati machine. For the Aruba.it Ducati team, seeing their rider at the top of the timesheets at their home race provides significant encouragement and a strong foundation for the remainder of the weekend.

The numerous crashes, while unfortunate, also serve as a reminder of the raw speed and inherent dangers of World Superbike racing. Riders push the limits of both themselves and their machinery, and Cremona's characteristics evidently amplify these challenges. The data gathered from these incidents will be crucial for teams to refine their setups, allowing riders to find more confidence and stability for the upcoming qualifying and race sessions.

Looking ahead, Bulega's strong start in FP1 sets him up as a clear frontrunner for the Italian round. However, the WSBK championship is known for its unpredictability, and rivals like Razgatlioglu, Bautista, and the strong contingent of independent riders will undoubtedly be working tirelessly to close the gap. The stage is set for a thrilling weekend of racing at Cremona, with Bulega leading the charge and hoping to translate his early pace into a strong result in front of his home fans. The positive signals from FP1 are clear, but the real test will come in the races.