After taking pole place for WorldSBK Race 1 at Phillip Island, Nicolo Bulega discovered himself “not so relaxed” due to the riders he discovered round him on the grid.
The Italian took a cushty 4.8-second victory within the first race on the Australian World Superbike spherical, 12 months on from his win-on-debut at Phillip Island in 2024, having had a lead of over six seconds for a lot of the race.
“What a strategy to begin the championship,” Bulega advised WorldSBK.com after Race 1.
“I’m actually joyful as a result of my feeling was good from the primary session of the Monday check and each time I’m going on the bike I do know what I can do and what I’ve to do.
“I’m simply having fun with driving my bike lap-by-lap, and it’s a tremendous feeling.”
He added that he was nervous earlier than the race due to the traits of a few of the riders round him on the grid.
“Truthfully, I used to be not so relaxed earlier than the race, as a result of I knew that near me there have been beginning some aggressive riders, particularly the primary laps for the braking,” he stated.
“So, I attempted to remain calm, concentrated, and […] I began good and completed good.”
Bulega’s tempo initially of the race was significantly notable, the Italian opening a lead of three.8 seconds within the first three laps.
“Possibly additionally in Supersport in Aragon two years in the past, the primary lap I had one-and-a-half seconds of benefit,” Bulega stated when requested if his begin to the race in Phillip Island was his finest ever.
“However in Superbike it’s one other story, so I’m actually joyful for this and I’m actually happy with what we’re doing.”
It was a efficiency that earned Bulega the congratulations of his teammate, two-time WorldSBK Champion Alvaro Bautista.
“Nicely, it was like within the follow,” the Spaniard stated. “He was in one other degree, he was like two steps forward of us, so it was regular.
“Congratulations to him, as a result of he did very well through the check, through the weekend, and he’s actually sturdy right here.”
The efficiency he has displayed all through this week in Phillip Island, and particularly throughout Race 1, has left Bulega optimistic forward of Sunday’s two races.
“Truthfully, if I proceed with this sense, I can keep constructive,” he stated. “I want to proceed on this place.”
