Nicolò Bulega triumphed in Race 1 of the Superbike World Championship at the Cremona Circuit on May 3, 2025, solidifying his position as the man to beat this season. The rider from Aruba.it Racing - Ducati not only clinched his fifth victory of the year but also showcased his dominance by leading the race from the early laps.
Starting from pole position, Bulega faced stiff competition from Toprak Razgatlioglu, who had a strong start and briefly held the lead. However, Bulega quickly regained control, pulling away from the Turkish rider and finishing with a comfortable margin of nearly three seconds. Razgatlioglu, riding for BMW, crossed the line in second place, while Alvaro Bautista, also from Aruba.it Racing - Ducati, secured the third spot on the podium.
"I wanted to erase the disappointment from Assen, and today I made my mark in Cremona with both the qualifications and Race 1," Bulega said after the race. His victory not only adds to his growing tally but also extends his lead in the championship standings, putting him 26 points ahead of Razgatlioglu.
Andrea Iannone, riding for Team Pata GoEleven, finished a commendable fourth, a performance he described as a solid result despite struggling with the front tire of his Ducati Panigale V4R. "Closing in fourth place is a good result for us after a long and challenging race. I had a tough time with the front tire, especially in left-hand corners where it tended to close up. I managed to defend myself well against attacks and brought home the result, even though the feeling on track wasn't the best," Iannone commented. He aims to improve in both the Superpole Race and Race 2 scheduled for May 4, 2025.
Following Iannone, Xavi Vierge from Honda HRC finished fifth, matching his best result of the season, while Remy Gardner, representing GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team, took sixth place, marking the best Yamaha finish in the race. However, it was a disappointing day for Iker Lecuona, who crashed on the 15th lap while in fourth position, and Jonathan Rea, who returned to the track but finished 19th, still not at his best.
The race's outcome significantly impacted the championship standings. Bulega now leads with 161 points, while Razgatlioglu follows with 135 points. Andrea Locatelli sits in third with 107 points after failing to score any points due to a crash during the race.
As the dust settles on Race 1, the focus shifts to the upcoming Superpole Race and Race 2. Bulega's performance has set a high bar, and it remains to be seen if his competitors can rise to the challenge. The anticipation is palpable as fans eagerly await the next round of action at the Cremona Circuit.
In the constructors' standings, Ducati holds a commanding lead with 190 points, followed by BMW with 137 points and Yamaha with 117 points. The dominance of Ducati in both the riders' and constructors' categories underscores the team's strong performance throughout the season thus far.
Tomorrow promises to be another thrilling day at the Cremona Circuit, with Bulega looking to continue his winning streak and Iannone hoping to capitalize on his solid finish. The atmosphere is electric, and the stakes are high as the Superbike World Championship unfolds.
