Nicolò Bulega showcased remarkable prowess at the 2025 Phillip Island World Superbike Round, dominating every session from the beginning of the week to the final race on Sunday. The Italian rider not only topped the time sheets during the testing days on Monday and Tuesday but also clinched victories across all races, including Race One, Superpole Race, and Race Two.
"I am really happy because this is my first hat trick in World Superbikes," Bulega told WorldSBK.com. "It is an incredibly amazing feeling to do it at my favourite track. I feel very good, I feel very proud of what me and my team have done. My bike was perfect from the Monday Test until the last lap of Race Two. I was able to push every lap this week, and I enjoyed riding every lap." Bulega’s statement reflected not just his victory but the confidence he exuded throughout the event.
On the final day of competition, Bulega faced some nail-biting moments, particularly during Race Two, where he nearly lost his lead due to a miscalculation at Turn Four. "I braked a bit more at Turn Four," he explained post-race. "Then I touched my knee slider on the kerb... I almost crashed but I made not bad save." His ability to recover from near disaster was emblematic of his overall control on the track.
While Bulega celebrated, the mood among other riders was markedly different. Reigning champion Toprak Razgatlioglu had what could only be described as a nightmare weekend, ending the event without scoring any points following his retirement from Race Two.
"I think about the next race, to fight with the whole team. But it’s complicated because it’s almost like a Ducati Cup now!" he expressed, highlighting the overwhelming dominance of Ducati bikes this season.
Razgatlioglu's struggles began as early as the Superpole session, where multiple issues plagued his performance. "I had big problems; I was lucky not to hit anyone and not to fall," Razgatlioglu recounted, his frustration palpable after enduring a chaotic race day.
His remarks on Ducati's dominance underscored the competitive imbalance observed throughout the weekend. The Turkish rider, alongside his teammate Michael van der Mark, fought valiantly but fell short against Bulega's relentless pace. At one point, Razgatlioglu stated, "It’s not Superbike anymore, it’s the Ducati Cup!" indicating his discontent with the current state of competition.
Meanwhile, Ducati riders swept the podium, with Álvaro Bautista, Andrea Iannone, and Danilo Petrucci joining Bulega on the winners' stage. Razgatlioglu left the event questioning his prospects within the championship. "If Dorna [the championship organizer] wants to see fights, then I need my old bike back," he lamented.
The dynamic of the race weekend was also affected by external factors as Razgatlioglu dealt with personal challenges, including recovering from a finger injury sustained earlier and resolving mechanical failures mid-race. "This is not how I expected the season to start," he stated, vowing to improve as the series migrated to Europe for the next round.
Despite Razgatlioglu's challenges, his teammate Michael van der Mark faced hurdles of his own, finishing 14th after crashing out during Race One and struggling with bike setup all weekend. Nevertheless, he expressed optimism moving forward, aiming for improvement during the upcoming test sessions. "We have to find out why the bike felt so different on Sunday," van der Mark noted.
Looking at the broader field, Ducati's dominance raised concerns among other manufacturers. BMW, which failed to secure significant points, signaled challenges with the new M1000 RR after Razgatlioglu's remarks about riding on the limit. "We are slower... I have nothing left in the bag," he lamented. His disappointment was echoed by BMW's Head of Motorsports, who admitted struggles, particularly with the new regulations limiting performances.
While competition among the top riders appeared muted this weekend, it set the stage for potential drama moving to the Portimão circuit next month. Bulega went back to the drawing board, aiming to maintain his form amid ample pressures from rivals. "I will try to maintain this level, but I think it will be difficult," he cautioned.
BMW faces the challenge of recalibrated expectations, with officials committed to addressing performance concerns based on learnings from the Phillip Island event. The coming tests will be instrumental for all teams to adapt and strategize effectively.
Looking forward, the focus shifts to whether Ducati can sustain its grip on the championship as it heads to the next races with Bulega leading the points table (62 points), followed by Bautista (36) and Iannone (35). With the rising sense of urgency and competitive spirit among manufacturers and riders alike, the new season is brimming with promise and potential upheaval. Will Bulega’s stride continue? Can Razgatlioglu rebound? Only time at Portimão will illuminate these questions.