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"The hard work pays off!" – jubilant Bulega discusses ‘incredible’ 2023 title success

Saturday, 30 September 2023 16:44 GMT

    • The Ducati star took World Championship status after a Race 1 victory, and he reflected on that moment after the race

    Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) is a World Champion. He was crowned the 2023 FIM Supersport World Championship title winner after his second season after an incredible campaign full of race wins, podiums as he fended off Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) to win the title three races before the end of the 2023 season. The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve played host to Bulega’s moment in the spotlight and the #11 gave his thoughts on the title win – despite being a bit lost for words at the Pirelli Portuguese Round.

    The Italian star was on pole and, although he lost ground as the lights went out, swept around the outside of his rivals at Turn 1 to claim the lead of the race. He was put under pressure first by Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) and then Manzi, but Bulega turned his Champion-elect status into World Champion as he won the race.

    His 14th win and 18th podium of the season was enough to take the title and it was a special day for Ducati. It came after they won the Manufacturers’ Championship in WorldSBK courtesy of Bulega’s 2024 teammate, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), Race 1 win and they were also able to celebrate two more titles on Saturday. Bulega’s Riders’ Championship win coincided with Ducati’s manufacturers’ title win; their first in WorldSSP.

    Reacting immediately after being crowned, Bulega said: “I feel incredible. After a lot of hard work with my team and alone a home, in the end I am and we are World Champions. I came here to this paddock and this team with a bad mental situation. I didn’t enjoy riding the bike and I wasn’t at the top of my training. I tried to change what I thought wasn’t the best to try to go faster. In the end, the hard work pays off. It’s incredible. To feel a manufacturer is behind you gives you some pressure, but maybe I needed that kind of pressure. Every time I see my bike, I like it. It’s very emotional to win the first title for Ducati in World Supersport.”

    Congratulate Bulega using the hashtag #Bu1eGAS and watch the remainder of the 2023 season using the WorldSBK VideoPass – now only €9.99!