Nicolo Bulega calls debut WorldSBK win ‘maybe the best day of my life’
Nicolo Bulega took a sensational fiꦿrst WorldSBK win after dominating the opening race of the year at Phillip Island.
After setting a new lap record in qualifying to secure his maiden WorldSBK pole, Nicolo Bulega proved to be just as formidable in Race 1 🅠of the Australian round.
The Italian had better pace than anyone, while his mandatory pit stop also went s𝔍wimmingly🧸.
Bulega’s race start was the only hiccup as he dropped from first to fifth, but a quick recovery saw him overtake🎀 reigning world champion team-mate Alvaro Bautista, before a move on Toprak Razgatlioglu at turn ten [lap four].
Speaking post-race, Bulega said: “It’s maybe the best d🌳ay of my life. Difficult to believe it but it’s something incredible. I have been dreaming about this moment and now it is a reality.
“I did the pole positi𒈔on, victory in my first race and a new lap record.❀ It is something I will never forget.
“I started to cry a little bit and then it was just a good emotion because I saw all my guys on the finish line 🙈with incredible smiles.”
Before taking♊ the lead Bulega admitted he was happy to stay in the pack until his pace became ‘much faster’.
Once Bulega took the lead, only Andrea I🍎annone and Alex Lowes were able 💛to keep the factory Ducati rider in check.
But that didn’t remain🃏 the case for the entire race and Bulega said applying pressure early ♒on was key.
“I started really badly,” began Bulega. “I did not release the clutch perfectly but then the first laps I was fourth or fifth, but I ⛦stayed in the back and felt faster.
“I thought they weren’t going too fast to sa💜ve the tyres so I stayed there.
“But then I was muchꦍ faster than them. I had to go to the front to do my pace. I think it was the key.”
