P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Nicolo Bulega topped the first pre-season test of the 2026 World Superbike season at Jerez
Ducati’s Nicolo Bulega expressed disappointment with the recent Jerez World Superbike test due to poor weather, making it unsuitable for proper assessment. Bulega, the 2025 World Superbike championship runner-up, had not ridden the Panigale V4 since his MotoGP debut last October. Joining the factory Ducati team as an injury replacement for Marc Marquez in the 2025 MotoGP season, he struggled to readjust to World Superbikes with limited track time at Jerez. Despite only completing 20 laps at the test, Bulega remains optimistic about Ducati’s 2026-spec Panigale V4, emphasizing the need for more testing. Looking ahead, Bulega is preparing for further World Superbike testing at Portimao next week before the 2026 season begins in Australia on 20-22 February, alongside his involvement in Ducati’s 2027 MotoGP bike development program.
