WorldSBK Jerez: Bulega wins race 1 for his 50th victory
The newsroomUpdated on October 17, 20263 minAt Jerez, Nicolò Bulega wins WorldSBK race 1 ahead of Sam Lowes and Iker Lecuona: his 50th Superbike win, with Ducati filling the first seven places.
Key point
Nicolò Bulega, already world champion, won race 1 at Jerez from start to finish: his 50th WorldSBK victory, the 30th of his season, with Ducati taking the first seven places.
Nicolò Bulega won WorldSBK race 1 at Jerez on Saturday 17 October 2026, the final round of the season. The Ducati rider, who started from pole position, led every lap and crossed the line 1.657 seconds ahead of Sam Lowes. It is his 50th win in the Superbike world championship, according to Motorsport Week and Crash.net.
Total domination
Bulega took the lead into the first corner ahead of Sam Lowes and Iker Lecuona, then pulled away: more than two seconds clear after ten of the twenty laps, according to MotoMatters. His fastest race lap is 1'38"195. It is his seventh win at Jerez.
As 2026 world champion, he becomes, according to Crash.net, the first rider to win 30 races in a single season in the championship, above Álvaro Bautista's 27 wins in 2023. He reaches 50 in just three seasons. He also said this is his last weekend in WorldSBK before moving to MotoGP, and hopes to finish on good performances.
Lowes and Lecuona on the podium
Sam Lowes posts his best result since the Superpole Race in Hungary in 2025. With this second place he is temporarily level on 245 points with his twin brother Alex Lowes in the championship. Iker Lecuona takes third, his best result at Jerez, where he had finished fifth in 2024. He resisted pressure from Yari Montella.
Bautista charges, Ducati sweeps
Starting ninth, Álvaro Bautista passed Montella with three laps to go to finish fourth. Montella is fifth, ahead of Alberto Surra (sixth) and Lorenzo Baldassarri (seventh): Ducati thus fills the first seven places. Alex Lowes finishes eighth, ahead of Tommy Bridewell. According to Crash.net, Ducati has won every race of 2026 so far.
A bike on fire
Xavi Vierge had to retire 13 laps from the end when his Yamaha caught fire on the straight. Marshals stepped in with extinguishers. Only two riders did not see the flag: Vierge and Danilo Petrucci.
Key takeaway
Bulega is about to leave WorldSBK on a string of records. He has two races left to extend his tally further.
Frequently asked questions
Who won WorldSBK race 1 at Jerez?
Nicolò Bulega (Ducati), starting from pole and leading throughout, 1.657 seconds ahead of Sam Lowes.
What does this win mean for Bulega?
It is his 50th WorldSBK win, achieved in his third season, and the 30th of 2026, a single-season record, according to Crash.net.
Who completes the podium?
Sam Lowes is second and Iker Lecuona third. Álvaro Bautista, who started ninth, finishes fourth.
Sources
- Motorsport Week — Bulega converts pole into race 1 win in Jerez
- Crash.net — Bulega beats WorldSBK greats with 50th win
- MotoMatters — Jerez WorldSBK race 1 result
Written by the Karrazmotorsport newsroom, proofread before publication. For settings, always refer to your vehicle's manual. Our charter.
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