Nicolo Bulega breaks WorldSBK win record despite “not riding very well”

Nicolo Bulega’s current WorldSBK win streak is now the longest in the championship’s history, which the Italian says is “a dream”.

Bulega took victory in Race 1 at Balaton Park to mark his 14th in succession since Race 2 at Estoril last October. It’s been seven months since he last lost a World Superbike race, but the latest came despite the Italian not feeling as though he’s riding at his best.

“Honestly, I’m not riding very well in this circuit because some areas of the track I have to think a lot what I have to do, I don’t ride naturally,” Nicolo Bulega said after Race 1 at Balaton, speaking to WorldSBK.com.

“So, it’s a bit difficult, but another P1, it’s incredible. 

“We worked hard with the team from yesterday because yesterday I didn’t have a perfect feeling, but today much better. 

“So, I’m really happy for today, record for [consecutive] victories, so happy for this record, happy for another P1, and I hope to continue like this.”

On his current win streak, Bulega added: “I feel that it’s something incredible. I think that it’s only my third year in Superbike.

“It’s a dream because I’m riding with Ducati, with the best bike, and I’m really happy to achieve these results with this amazing brand, with this team. It’s incredible and I hope to continue like this.”

Bulega’s victory also took him 74 points clear at the top of the riders’ standings, a lead he holds over his team-mate Iker Lecuona. Lecuona was fastest on Friday but qualified fifth and started eighth after a grid drop for impeding Sam Lowes in Superpole.

The Spaniard was four seconds behind Bulega in Race 1 at Balaton when he got into second with 15 laps to go, and reduced that gap to under three seconds by the end of the race.