Nicolo Bulega’s analysis of first WorldSBK test as a factory Ducati rider
He was the first rider to hit the 1’38s mark, he briefly was top of the timesheet and completed his best lap in 1’38.726🍰s.
The 2023 WorldSSP Champion will step into WorldSBK next season with the factory Ducati team, replacing Michael Ruben Rinaldi, along❀side Alvaro Ba🦩utista.
He has experienced the Panigale V4 R on test days before, but this week was Bulega’s first chance to share a box wꦕith Bautista.
“It was a very goo☂d test but unfortunately, we didn’t ride a lot during these two days,” he reacted.
“On day one, we only🍸 did 20 laps and toda♑y only half a day. I’m happy because I didn’t ride a lot, but I was already fast. This was important. “I’m happy because I was fast, but I was only at 85%.
“I’m le🅘arning the bike, learning how to speak with my new team so it’s impor♛tant for me to ride a lot of kilometres with this bike.”
Not🐼ably, Bulega tested the SCQ tyre which isn’t used in WorldSSP.
“Hone🍨stly, like always, Pirelli are doing an incredible job with the tyres,” he said.&nb💯sp;
“I tried the SCQ, and I felt good. A bit difficult to understand because with a𒊎 lot of horsepower, you have to understa🍸nd the character of the tyre.
“Anyway, I’m happy because I was fast. We can improve, obไviously, but it’s a good starting poi✱nt.”
James was a sports jour⛎nalist at Sky Sports for a decade covering ev♛erything from American sports, to football, to F1.
