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Nicolò Bulega did not betray the expectations of the eve and, after dominating the winter tests, confirmed himself as the man to beat also on this first day of World Superbike practice at the Phillip Island track. The Emilian rider managed to cope with the rise in temperatures compared to earlier in the week without any particular problems, monopolizing the first position in both Free Practice sessions. The best way with which to start the year and begin to lay the foundations for a weekend full of satisfaction.
"I still have a good feeling, although it got a little worse today because the track temperature was higher and so it was a bit more complicated, especially at the beginning. I tried to ride as usual, but after the first exit I realized that with this temperature I had to change my riding style. I did that after coming back into the pits and making some changes to the bike and it worked. It went well," Nicolò recounted at the end of the day, explaining how the higher temperatures recorded today changed the situation compared to testing. "I couldn't say how much it actually changes with less grip, but the fact is that with less grip I had to change my riding style and try to get the bike up sooner, to take advantage of the acceleration and the tyre on a straighter bike. Since I had a lot of sliding, especially in the lean. This will be one more aspect to understand."
This sparkling start can only give an extra boost to the Aruba.it Racing rider, who is fully aware of his chances of victory.
"I have a good package and I have had good feelings on the bike so far and I know I have a real chance to try to win, but the races are always different from free practice. Especially here, where there is also this silly flag-to-flag, which will be one more thing to pay attention to," Bulegas noted, dampening his enthusiasm a bit. "Nothing is certain in life. So, we will see."
Speaking of the flag-to-flag, could the 25-year-old's advantage widen or shrink with a race split in two?
"I don't know, I just know that I don't like it. It's the same for everyone: every rider and every team has to be perfect, because every mistake can be crucial," he replied, before explaining why he does not particularly like the idea of having to stop mid-race to change tyres: "I don't like it especially on this track, because the pit lane is very narrow and being on the left side of my pit I am in the worst position, since I have to make a wide turn inside the pit lane, with so many mechanics next to me. So it is dangerous for me and for them. There are so many reasons why I don't like the flag-to-flag."
Could the problem be got round by asking the team not to let both of its riders back in at the same time?
"We still have to talk about it, because it's something that has yet to be verified. But if Alvaro and I wanted to re-enter at the same time, it would definitely be worse for me, because it is certainly easier for me to make mistakes," replied Nicolò, who then spoke about Gregorio Lavilla 's reasons for not backing off on the flag-to-flag.
"It is true that no one did 20 laps in a row, because we made pit stops. But there were tracks where we were worse off with the tyres," he commented, "So what I don't understand is, why do it here? If we have the flag-to-flag here, we should also have it at Most, Donington, Barcelona and five other tracks."
The Ducati rider then gave his opinion on the position Razgatlioglu might occupy in the race, in the light of what he saw on this Friday and in the last tests.
"I don't know. It's hard to say what position Toprak could be in, because I'm maybe a little bit ahead, but then there are a lot of riders very close," he said. "For sure, as I said, races are always different; Toprak is very good at overtaking and staying in the fight. So, he can stay ahead even if he's not particularly fast right now, because he doesn't have a good feeling with his bike."
Staying in the optics of the race, Bulega talked about his chances of making a breakaway.
"I would like to. Let's say that so far I'm doing very well: I have a good feeling with the bike and I can push right from the first lap, and that's something I was able to do from time to time last year as well. It's a foregone conclusion, but let's say I'd rather go away and take some of the trouble off my back," he concluded, "Looking at how today went, I think it's doable. But tomorrow the temperature will be very different. It will have to be seen if my lead will remain the same or if the others will be able to get closer in the hot weather."
