Superbike World Championship flies the Italian flag once again

· Bulega’s triumphant campaign. Nicolò Bulega (Ducati) writes a new chapter in the history of the FIM Superbike World Championship, securing the 2026 world title with two rounds to spare. It is his second world championship crown, following his 2023 WorldSSP title, also achieved with the Aruba.it Racing Ducati team. Bulega’s success also puts an Italian rider on an Italian motorcycle fitted with Pirelli tyres back at the top of the production-based racing world, 14 years after Max Biaggi’s triumph with Aprilia, which was also equipped with Pirelli tyres. At the Cremona Circuit, during a weekend managed with maturity and without taking unnecessary risks, Bulega only needed to finish behind his team-mate Iker Lecuona in all three races to mathematically secure the title. His season so far has been outstanding, with 26 wins from the first 30 races and a string of record-breaking figures: nine consecutive pole positions, eight circuit records, eight race lap records and no fewer than 25 fastest race laps – statistics that highlight the Ducati rider’s dominance throughout the championship.

· Lecuona’s perfect weekend. Arriving in Cremona with the aim of winning all three races and delaying his team-mate’s title celebrations, Iker Lecuona (Ducati) enjoyed his best-ever WorldSBK weekend, taking victory in Race 1, the Superpole Race and Race 2. In today’s two races, he used the Pirelli SCX supersoft rear tyre, while Bulega, who finished second in both, opted for the SCQ extra-soft in the Superpole Race, as did nine other riders. At the front, almost the entire field chose the SC1 soft, with Manzi the only rider to use the SC2 medium in the sprint race. In the Superpole Race, Bulega also set a new race lap record of 1’27.783, improving the 2025 benchmark by two tenths of a second.

· Pirelli pays tribute to Superbike. During Race 2 at the final Italian round of the season, Pirelli celebrated the 23-year partnership that has united the company with the FIM Superbike World Championship in its role as Sole Supplier. In a flash mob staged in the grandstands at the Cremona Circuit, Pirelli employees attending the event formed the Pirelli logo and the words “Thanks WorldSBK”, paying tribute to a partnership that has left an indelible mark on the history of the production-based championship.

· WorldSSP double for Alcoba. Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki) completes a double by also winning WorldSSP Race 2, ahead of Albert Arenas (Yamaha) and Tom Booth-Amos (Triumph), who set a new fastest race lap of 1’31.587, more than four tenths quicker than the previous record. All riders used the SC1 soft front and SCX supersoft rear combination. Carter Thompson (Yamaha) took victory in World Sportbike, while in the Yamaha R3 World Cup Richi Takahira claimed his third win of the season and moved into the championship lead, one point ahead of Xarly Mendez. The title will be decided at the final round in Estoril.

A day of celebration for Italian colours and Pirelli
 
“First, I would like to congratulate Nicolò Bulega, Ducati and the Aruba.it Racing team on securing a title of exceptional significance, with an Italian rider on an Italian motorcycle once again at the top of the FIM Superbike World Championship, 14 years after Biaggi’s success with Aprilia. Bulega has enjoyed an outstanding season, with results and records that reflect the talent, determination and consistency he has demonstrated throughout the championship. In Cremona, too, he approached the weekend with great intelligence and maturity, managing his championship lead with the composure of a true champion. At the same time, Iker Lecuona’s hat-trick confirms the high level of competitiveness achieved and the strength Ducati has demonstrated throughout the season.
Once again, our standard production tyres – the same products available on the market to all enthusiasts and riders – have demonstrated their performance, helping to set new outright and race lap records and further confirming the strong link between racing and the development of products for road users.
Finally, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all the Pirelli employees who took part in today’s flash mob in the grandstands at the Cremona Circuit. By forming the Pirelli logo and the words “Thanks WorldSBK”, they paid tribute to a unique 23-year partnership that has left a lasting mark on the history of the FIM Superbike World Championship and represents a chapter of which we are particularly proud.”