Today, in front of the Misano crowd and after an excellent qualifying, Nicolò Bulega set out with one goal: to win. But something didn't go right. The rider residing a handful of kilometers from the circuit, was unable to capitalize as he would have wished the potential put on the track in the practice sessions, concluding Race 1 in second position, behind an exemplary Razgatlioglu. Having started from fourth position after the penalty imposed on him for obstructing Danilo Petrucci's SuperPole, the championship leader led the race until the fifth lap, when the Turk took advantage of him going a little bit long to slip in at the Carro corner. From then on, Nicolò kept up with the acrobatic BMW rider but never managed to go for the kill. Under accusation post-race is the decision to go for a harder compound and a small pre-race modification that did not allow the Ducati rider to ride at 100%. We'll postpone the viewing of Nicolò's version until tomorrow!
"I wasn't surprised by Toprak, I knew he would be strong. More I was surprised by the feeling, which was not the same as this morning and yesterday. Unfortunately, we made a change that probably didn't go in the right direction. I also used the SC2 up front, which probably didn't pay off much. Then we had another small problem," but the #11 didn't go into detail. "We have to try to make another small step because I couldn't get enough speed to try to attack Toprak."
Was there a moment when you thought, "Now I'm going to overtake and get away from him," and you couldn't?
"So, there was a moment where I thought he was in more trouble than I was, however, the next lap I also got in trouble and so it was difficult because we were always doing a little bit of back-and-forth and I could never get close enough to attack him. But still even if I passed him I didn't have anything more. I was at 90 percent today. I couldn't ride the way I like, I didn't have my style, I was kind of on eggshells."
What made you and your team opt for the SC2 on the front?
"In hot weather the SC2 has a bit more durability, however, it is also true that you lose a little grip. For tomorrow we'll see, if we can adapt better with the setting to the SC2 maybe it can still be a good solution. If not, we will try the SC1 again."
When Toprak passed you at the Carro you had gone long. From the outside we almost thought you wanted to pass him. What happened?
"There I missed a gear, in fact I also did a headbutt that split the plexiglass in half. After that I did the whole race with a broken fairing, but whatever, I don't think it hindered me that much."
What do you think of the penalty for slowing Petrucci down in SuperPole? Did it affect you a bit in race management?
"The penalty was ridiculous. Even Petrucci told me that I didn't bother him at all. He was mad at Iannone. I even went to race direction to tell them. In that circumstance, taking Iannone out, there was one second between me and Petrucci, so I would never have bothered him. I told the direction that I can't ride Iannone's bike as well, I think about myself and not bothering, but they didn't want to know. Anyway, that's the way it is now. In the end it's not that I started that far back, however, you know, even that little bit puts you more at risk, because maybe someone can give you a touch. Anyway, I didn't deserve it."
In your opinion, did BMW and Toprak take a step forward from Most?
"For me they took a step forward, however it's also true that I wasn't 100 percent today. So I would postpone any conclusions about this comparison when I also feel I can say that I gave everything and that anything more I didn't have. Today, on the other hand, I say that I was 90 percent and couldn't ride the way I wanted to."
Today you and Razgatioglu put a gap of more than 15 seconds to the third place and by now this is becoming almost a habit. Does it have an effect on you to see these gaps or do you not even think about it when you are racing?
"Honestly during the race I looked at the gap chart in the first few laps. Then when I saw that with each passage it went up 6, 7, 8 tenths, I didn't look at it anymore. Let's say that right now he and I are making a bit of a difference. He's the only BMW in front and I'm the only Ducati at the same pace. Both of us are the ones who can make the most of the package at our disposal."
These are weeks of rider market. You have extended your contract with Ducati, which in addition to seeing you committed in 2026 in SBK, will also involve you in the test team for the MotoGP project. While on the other hand, Alvaro Bautista won't continue his adventure in Ducati. One question: would you like Petrucci as your partner?
"Yes, with Danilo we have a good relationship but actually I also have a good relationship with Alvaro. In any case, yes, I would like Petrucci ," the Italian concluded smilingly.
Ph Credit Fermino Fraternali