Bulega chases all-time WorldSBK wins record as Ducati target consecutive-win mark at Estoril
With every 2026 WorldSBK title already decided, newly crowned champion Nicolò Bulega needs two wins from the final six races to set the all-time wins record.
- 2 (from the final six races)
- 27 (Álvaro Bautista, 2023)
- 35
- 1
What Happened
The 2026 WorldSBK season has already awarded all of its titles. Aruba.it Racing – Ducati sealed the Teams' and Manufacturers' crowns at Donington, and Nicolò Bulega claimed the riders' World Championship ten days ago in Cremona. The official Ducati Superbike team's riders, however, say their ambitions are far from over as the series heads to Estoril in Portugal.
Bulega needs two wins from the final six races to reach 27 victories and set the all-time wins record, currently held by Álvaro Bautista, who achieved it in 2023 with the same colours. His team-mate Iker Lecuona, fresh from a hat-trick in Cremona, wants to keep winning and help Ducati chase another potential record. The manufacturer is just one victory away from equalling its best-ever run of consecutive wins, 35.
2wins
From the final six races, to reach 27 victories and pass the record held by Álvaro Bautista.
- 2 (from the final six races)
- 27 (Álvaro Bautista, 2023)
- One more to equal its best-ever run of 35
“I'm very happy and I probably still haven't fully realised everything we've achieved, also because we've had so many commitments. But we enjoyed it, we had a great celebration in Cremona, and the biggest one will come only at the end of the season. That's why I really want to finish in the best possible way, also because I've always enjoyed riding at these two circuits.”
“There is a lot of excitement after Cremona, and that's why expectations are high. Maybe Nicolò will arrive without pressure, and that could be a small advantage compared to last weekend. In any case, we've shown that we are competitive, and we want to keep fighting for victory in every race.”
Previously from Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A.
Bulega's Superbike World Championship title this season came aboard the factory Ducati Panigale V4 R. For 2027, that Aruba.it Racing – Ducati seat will pass to Franco Morbidelli, who moves over from MotoGP.
Background drawn from MotorClaw's earlier coverage of Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A.'s official releases.
Why this matters
All the 2026 WorldSBK titles are already settled, so outright records are the main prize left at Estoril. Bulega can pass the 27-win mark set by Álvaro Bautista in 2023 with the same Ducati colours, while Ducati need one more victory to equal their best-ever run of 35 consecutive wins. That gives the team and its riders something to chase even though the championships are decided.
Terms in This Story
- WorldSBK
- The Superbike World Championship, a production-based motorcycle racing series.
- hat-trick
- Winning three races in a single race weekend.
- Manufacturers' crown
- The championship title awarded to the motorcycle manufacturer that scores the most points over the season.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.