Nicolò Bulega showcased his dominance in the opening day of free practice for the French Round at Magny-Cours, setting the fastest times in both sessions. However, despite his impressive performance, the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati rider left the track feeling he still had room for improvement with his Panigale V4 R.
In the cooler conditions of the morning, Bulega clocked a remarkable time of 1'35.556 during FP1, establishing a solid benchmark for the day. As the temperatures soared to approximately 113 degrees Fahrenheit later in the afternoon, he was unable to surpass that mark but still managed to lead FP2 with a time of 1'35.916, making him the only rider to break into the 1'35s bracket during that session. His FP1 time placed him nearly three-tenths of a second ahead of the competition, solidifying his status as a frontrunner for pole position.
Despite these impressive statistics, Bulega was not completely satisfied with his performance. "I can’t say I’m satisfied with this first day. I’m still missing something in terms of feel because I can’t ride my Panigale V4 R the way I’d like to," he commented. He expressed optimism that his team would identify setup adjustments overnight to enhance his riding experience.
After the second practice session, Bulega elaborated on his challenges, stating, "Good way [to start the weekend] for the position, but honestly the feeling was not the best. I would like to improve in some areas because I feel that I can go faster, but it’s a bit difficult right now for the feeling." He described the bike as being overly physical, emphasizing his desire for a more precise and natural riding style.
This round at Magny-Cours is particularly significant for Bulega, as he has the opportunity to mathematically secure the 2026 World Superbike Championship title. Currently, he holds a substantial 133-point lead over his teammate Iker Lecuona, who finished the day with the third-fastest combined time thanks to a strong performance in FP1, despite experiencing a crash early in FP2.
To close the gap with Bulega, Lecuona indicated that he is making adjustments based on insights gained from his recent stint as a fill-in rider for the Gresini MotoGP team. "If I want to find that last tenth, I need to try something different on the bike. On the Ducati in MotoGP, I tried something different from my standard base," he explained. Lecuona is hopeful that these changes could provide the edge he needs to challenge Bulega's dominance.
As Bulega continues to strive for perfection, the competition remains fierce, especially with Lecuona looking to capitalize on any opportunities to enhance his performance. With the championship stakes high, the upcoming sessions will be critical for both riders as they prepare for the races ahead.
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