Bulega holds off his team-mate Iker Lecuona to take his fourth victory on the bounce

The Portuguese circuit of Portimao was the host to round two of the WorldSBK Championship. Aruba.it Ducati’s Nicolo Bulega was on pole position with his all-new 2026 team-mate Iker Lecuona qualifying in second place, fellow Ducati rider Yari Montella rounded out the front row of the grid.

It was perfect weather conditions as the lights went out for race one, Bulega got the holeshot into turn one. Montella passed Lecuona for second place, Alex Lowes passed Miguel Olivera for fourth place.

The leading trio had just over a second lead from Alex, lower down the field Danilo Petrucci was coming under pressure for his tenth place position from Garrett Gerloff.

Xavi Vierge was coming under pressure from Sam Lowes after three laps, Alvaro Bautista was losing positions after four laps.

Montella crashed out from second place at turn 14 with 15 laps to go, Oliveira was promoted to third place, the Portuguese crowd were delighted to see their home rider moving into a podium place.

Bulega was managing the gap at the front from his team-mate Lecuona. Sam Lowes was chasing his brother Alex for fourth place. Brit Tommy Bridewell crashed out at turn 14, he was up and ok!

There was a tree-way battle for sixth place between Vierge, Gerloff and Axel Bassani. Alex looked to be edging away from Sam with just seven laps to go.

Bulega crossed the line to take the victory, Lecuona was second, home rider Oliveira was third, Alex Lowes finished in fourth place with Sam Lowes crossing the finish line in fifth place.

Featured Image: Ksc Photography Services.