Nicolo Bulega took pole position during World Superbike Superpole qualifying Saturday morning at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, in San Marino. Riding his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4R, Bulega recorded a lap time of 1:31.343, which was not only good enough to top the 22-rider field and secure pole position it also eclipsed his 2025 All-Time Lap Record of 1:31.618.
His teammate, Iker Lecuona qualified second with a 1:31.570.
Alex Lowes did a 1:32.000 on his bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team KB998 Rimini to earn the third and final spot on the front row.
Row two starters include Barni Spark Ducati’s Yari Montella (1:32.053), Team Goeleven Ducati’s Lorenzo Baldassarri (1:32.218), and Motocorsa Racing Ducati’s Alberto Surra (1:32.305).
American Garrett Gerloff crashed his Kawasaki ZX-10RR in turn 14 and did not qualify.
More from a press release issued by WorldSBK:
RECORD STREAK: Bulega makes it eight poles in a row as he matches Rea’s record, Alex Lowes claims first front row of 2026. The #11 smashed the lap record as he equalled the all-time record of consecutive pole positions.
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) etched his name into the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship as he matched the all-time streak of pole positions. The #11 fended off teammate Iker Lecuona during the Tissot Superpole session by 0.227s as he claimed pole on home soil at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”, with Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) completing the front row at Bimota’s home Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round.
THE FIRST RUN
Bulega set the pace on the first runs with a 1’31.784s, close to the existing lap record, taking provisional pole position ahead of teammate Lecuona, with 0.126s between the pair. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) rounded out the top three, with the first stints interrupted by two crashes which brought out the yellow flags. Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) did not set a lap time after he crashed on the exit of Turn 14. The #31 was able to walk away from the spill, but the damage to the bike meant he did not set a time and will therefore start last for both Race 1 and the Tissot Superpole Race, while Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) crashed at Turn 13 but had set a 1’32.627s on his lap.
MATCHING THE ALL-TIME RUN OF POLES
On the second runs, Bulega went even quicker as he set a 1’31.343s to tighten his grip on pole position, although he was put under pressure by Lecuona. The #7 was just 0.007s down on ‘Bulegas’ after three sectors, but a slightly scruffier final sector meant he dropped 0.227s down on Bulega and had to settle for P2. Alex Lowes put in a stunning late effort of a 1’32.000s to claim a front row start for Bimota at their home round for the second consecutive year. Bulega’s pole position made it eight in a row, equalling the all-time record set by Jonathan Rea in 2021.
ALL-ITALIAN ROW 2
Montella was forced to settle for fourth thanks to the #22’s late lap, with the #5 posting a 1’32.053s to lead an all-Italian second row. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) will go from P5 after lapping 0.875s down on Bulega, while Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) completes Row 2. The rookie has been impressive in recent rounds and will look to continue that when lights go out.
HOME HEROES GO FROM THE THIRD ROW
Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) will head the third row after taking P7 in Superpole with a 1’32.409s. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) claimed lead Yamaha honours with P8 after lapping around two tenths slower than ‘El Bocia’, while Tommy Bridewell (Superbike Advocates) will go from ninth. The British rider crashed at Turn 2 in the latter stages of the 15-minute session, but his 1’32.584s was good enough for a third-row start. Sam Lowes will go from tenth after his crash.
The top six from WorldSBK Superpole, full results here:
- Nicolo Bulega (it Racing – Ducati) 1’31.343s
- Iker Lecuona (it Racing – Ducati) +0.227s
- Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.657s
- Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.710s
- Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) +0.875s
- Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) +0.962s
Don’t miss a moment from Race 1 at 15:30 Local Time (UTC+2) using the WorldSBK VideoPass – NOW HALF PRICE!
The post WSBK: Bulega Breaks Lap Record, Takes Pole Position at Misano appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.
