Nicole Bulega takes the WSBK Sprint Race victory as his Team-mate crashes out.

Despite Alex Lowes’ sublime pressure, reigning World Supersport champion Nicolo Bulega produced his best performance of his debut season so far to win by 0.115 seconds in an enthralling 10 lap sprint race.

Lowes’ remained within a second of Bulega for the entirety of the race, but after relinquishing the lead to Bulega on the opening lap, the 24 year old Italian was able to manage the race exceptionally and take the second win of his WSBK career.

Contrasting emotions befell Bulega’s Aruba Ducati team-mate Alvaro Bautista as the Veteran Spaniard’s title hopes evaporated with a crash on the opening lap at the Nurburg chicane. Bautista was aiming to come through the field after starting 16th on the grid and had already recovered to 12th prior to crashing spectacularly. Immediately after his race came to an end he was checked over in the medical centre and has been ruled out of the final race of the weekend with a fractured rib.

Bonovo BMW’s Scott Redding produced his best weekend of the season and is looking to secure his long term future, despite having signed a contract with BMW for 2025 his future remains unclear, the 31 year old former BSB Champion narrowly missed out on a podium finishing just 0.226 behind Barni Spark Ducati’s Danilo Petrucci. Xavi Vierge claimed his and Honda’s best result of the season in fifth place while team-mate Iker Lecouna came home seventh in an encouraging race for Honda.

Splitting the two HRC riders, Garret Gerloff made it two Bonovo BMW’s in the top six as he finished two places infront of Race 1 winner and factory BMW rider Michael Van der mark. Australian Remy Gardner Claimed the final point available on offer in the sprint with a solid ninth place. British riders Bradley Ray, Sam Lowes and Tarran Mackenzie finished 15th, 16th and 19th respectively while Andrea Locatelli crashed out of contention at the half way stage.

Featured Image: Ducati Corse.