Nicolò Bulega secured another victory in Jerez, this time in the Superpole race. So far, the rider has maintained a flawless record in this final round of the World Superbike Championship, once again getting the better of the already-crowned champion Toprak Razgatlioglu.
In a short and intense race, Bulega (Aruba.it Ducati) and Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW) started well and held the top two positions despite pressure from Alex Lowes (Kawasaki). Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team/Ducati) made a good start to take fourth.
At the beginning of the second lap, Razgatlioglu was stronger than Bulega and took the lead. The top two had already created a gap to Lowes. At that same moment, Team HRC saw its riders, Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge, involved in an incident that forced both to retire. Lecuona was left with physical complaints.
Dramatic last day of the season for Honda!🤯@LecuonaIker and @XaviVierge collided at Turn 6😢#SpanishWorldSBK 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/4oiUNwEPWJ
— WorldSBK (@WorldSBK) October 20, 2024
The battle for victory remained tight between Razgatlioglu and Bulega, but on lap five, Bulega reclaimed the lead.
What a battle at the front⚔️@nbulega is through on @toprak_tr54 once again🔥#SpanishWorldSBK 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/N8JV4q3jhe
— WorldSBK (@WorldSBK) October 20, 2024
From that point, he was able to build a gap and set a faster pace, eventually winning by 2.375 seconds ahead of the 2024 champion, securing pole position for the second race.
Lowes held off Petrucci to secure third place by just over a second, while Petrucci had to defend against Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) in the final laps. Further down the order, Álvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Ducati) made a strong recovery to finish ninth, and Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) crossed the line in 11th.
Results:
The last Superpole Race of the 2024 season is done and dusted✅👏
— WorldSBK (@WorldSBK) October 20, 2024
Here are the full results👇#SpanishWorldSBK 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/IAR36tW2Cl
