Nicolo Bulega's dominance at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli this past weekend has left the WorldSBK community in awe. Bulega, the Italian rider, achieved an incredible hat-trick of wins, claiming victory in all three races with a remarkable margin of over five seconds in each. This unprecedented success has not only earned him the admiration of his fans and the Ducati faithful but has also shattered two more WorldSBK records.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the context of Bulega's achievements. He had never won a race at Misano before, yet his performance this weekend showcased a level of dominance unseen since the opening round at Phillip Island earlier this year. It's a testament to his skill and the hard work put in by his team.
"Incredible weekend to remember," Bulega humbly stated post-race. "Hattrick of wins in Misano, in front of my fans and Ducati fans, is incredible. I'm truly grateful, and this might just be my best weekend in World Superbike."
Bulega's success extends beyond this weekend. His Race 2 win marked his 25th consecutive victory and 21st of the season, setting a new record for the most triple-win weekends in a single WorldSBK season, with an impressive seven. This achievement is especially meaningful for Bulega, who acknowledged that while he doesn't usually focus on records, achieving them is a bonus.
"Honestly, I don't normally think about the records, but it's a great feeling to set them. I always keep my eyes on the next race, but to do it here, in Misano, is extra special. I'm also proud to be the Italian with the most podiums in Superbike, and to achieve this record here makes it even more memorable." Bulega shared.
Despite his incredible streak, Bulega remains grounded. He acknowledges that his domination won't last forever and that someone will eventually beat him. However, he emphasizes the importance of the championship, suggesting that a second or third-place finish wouldn't diminish his overall success.
"I said yesterday that it's almost impossible to win every race, and I stand by that. One day, someone will surpass me, but the championship is the ultimate goal. If I finish second or third one day, it won't matter in the grand scheme of things."
As Bulega and WorldSBK head to Donington on July 10-12, the question on everyone's mind is whether his winning streak will continue. Bulega himself is cautious, recognizing that Donington's circuit layout may not favor his riding style entirely. However, he remains optimistic, citing his second-place finish last year as a positive sign.
"Donington has some parts that suit my riding style, but other parts don't. Last year wasn't too bad, so we'll need to work hard. We have a new bike, and I hope to be competitive there as well."
The upcoming race at Donington promises to be an exciting chapter in Bulega's remarkable season. Will he continue his winning streak, or will someone finally challenge his dominance? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Nicolo Bulega has etched his name into the WorldSBK record books, and his incredible Misano weekend will go down in history.
