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Round Seven – Misano – Saturday
Bulega dominant
Debise steals win
Ieraci breaks through
Nicolò Bulega matched Jonathan Rea’s WorldSBK pole streak before taking his first WorldSBK win at Misano, while Valentin Debise, Bruno Ieraci and Maria Herrera also starred on Saturday.
Saturday at the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round became another milestone day in Nicolò Bulega’s extraordinary 2026 WorldSBK campaign, the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati rider turning a record-equalling Superpole performance into a lights-to-flag Race 1 victory at Misano.
Nicolò Bulega, Iker Lecuona and Yari Montella completed an all-Ducati WorldSBK podium at Misano.The headline numbers are now getting silly. Bulega’s Saturday success was his 19th win from 19 races this season, his 23rd consecutive WorldSBK victory, his 39th career win, and his 32nd consecutive podium. It was also his first WorldSBK win at Misano, the one current-calendar circuit at which he had not previously won in the category.
Aruba.it Racing – Ducati celebrate another dominant WorldSBK Saturday after Bulega and Lecuona finished one-two.It was a big day for Ducati too. Bulega’s win gave Ducati its 468th WorldSBK victory, its 19th win from 19 races this season, its 23rd consecutive race win, and its 73rd podium lockout. It was also Ducati’s first WorldSBK win at Misano since 2023, ending a run of six BMW/Razgatlioglu victories at the Italian venue.
Bulega’s home victory celebrations brought plenty of local flavour to Misano.There were strong stories throughout the support-card races as well. Valentin Debise stole WorldSSP victory from Albert Arenas on the final lap, Bruno Ieraci took his first WorldSPB win after a tense Sportbike scrap where young Aussie Carter Thompson figured highly, and Maria Herrera resisted Beatriz Neila to extend her WorldWCR championship lead.
WorldSBK Race One
Bulega matches Rea pole streak then extends perfect 2026 run
Bulega’s 21-lap Race 1 win was officially lights-to-flag. Lecuona challenged strongly into the opening corners, but Bulega was credited with leading every lap and quickly made the race his own.
Race 1 gets underway at Misano, with the front-row starters charging towards Turn 1.By lap five, Bulega had already produced the new race lap record, a 1m32.552s, and from there he continued to edge away. The winning margin eventually stretched to 6.117 seconds, underlining not only his one-lap speed but also the relentless pace he was able to maintain in hot conditions, with track temperatures above 50 degrees.
The WorldSBK pack funnels through the opening corners at Misano.The victory was Bulega’s 12th Grand Slam of the season, with pole, fastest lap, victory and every lap led. It was also his 13th lights-to-flag race win of the year, another record in the period for which that data is available.
Nicolò Bulega’s first WorldSBK victory at Misano was celebrated in suitably Italian style.Lecuona followed him home in second, extending the Bulega-Lecuona one-two streak to 16 consecutive races. For Lecuona it was an 18th career podium, and also a 16th consecutive second place, but the Spaniard admitted afterwards that Bulega’s race pace was simply out of reach on Saturday.
Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali congratulates the Misano Race 1 podium finishers after a Ducati sweep.Yari Montella completed the podium for Barni Spark Racing Team, making it a Ducati podium sweep. The Italian had started fourth, launched cleanly, moved into third early, and then focused on breaking away from the pack behind rather than getting drawn into a tyre-sapping battle. It was Montella’s sixth career WorldSBK podium and his first at Misano, a special result in front of his home crowd and family.
Yari Montella and Barni Spark Racing Team celebrate his first WorldSBK podium at Misano.Behind the Ducati podium sweep came a strong home showing for bimota. Axel Bassani and Alex Lowes fought hard in the first half of the race, with Bassani eventually getting the better of the duel to finish fourth. Lowes, who had started from the front row, completed the top five.
Axel Bassani and Alex Lowes gave bimota a strong home showing at Misano, finishing fourth and fifth in Race 1.Alberto Surra continued his impressive run with sixth for Motocorsa Racing, finishing 24.702 seconds behind Bulega but ahead of the leading Yamaha. Andrea Locatelli was that rider, the Pata Maxus Yamaha man finishing seventh after qualifying eighth and running a consistent race in front of his home fan club.
Montella’s third-place trophy marked a memorable home podium for Barni Spark Racing Team.Miguel Oliveira returned from injury with a solid eighth for ROKiT BMW, while Alvaro Bautista recovered from 17th on the grid to ninth for Barni Spark Racing Team. Bautista was still managing his foot injury and had struggled in Superpole, but his race recovery brought useful points and valuable data ahead of Sunday.
Remy Gardner was fighting around the edge of the top ten before crashing late in Race 1.Stefano Manzi rounded out the top ten for GYTR GRT Yamaha, matching his best WorldSBK result so far. Remy Gardner had been on course for a points finish but crashed at Turn 8 with three laps remaining, while Michael van der Mark retired with a technical problem.
There was early disappointment for two potential podium contenders. Baldassarri crashed out at Turn 5 while running near the front and chasing a home podium, while Sam Lowes crashed shortly afterwards at Turn 6. Ryan Vickers also crashed at Turn 14 early, rejoined, and later retired.
WorldSBK Race One Results
|
1 |
N Bulega |
Duc |
32m40.418 |
272.7 |
|
2 |
I Lecuona |
Duc |
+6.117 |
273.4 |
|
3 |
Y Montella |
Duc |
+13.823 |
272.7 |
|
4 |
A Bassani |
Bim |
+17.626 |
271.4 |
|
5 |
A Lowes |
Bim |
+20.746 |
269.3 |
|
6 |
A Surra |
Duc |
+24.702 |
272.7 |
|
7 |
A Locatelli |
Yam |
+26.442 |
272.7 |
|
8 |
M Oliveira |
BMW |
+27.847 |
275.5 |
|
9 |
A Bautista |
Duc |
+29.285 |
273.4 |
|
10 |
S Manzi |
Yam |
+30.448 |
268.0 |
|
11 |
T Mackenzie |
Duc |
+30.882 |
275.5 |
|
12 |
X Vierge |
Yam |
+33.185 |
274.1 |
|
13 |
T Bridewell |
Duc |
+36.540 |
274.1 |
|
14 |
G Gerloff |
Kaw |
+36.602 |
270.0 |
|
15 |
S Chantra |
Hon |
+44.842 |
272.0 |
|
16 |
B Sofuoglu |
Yam |
+49.544 |
272.0 |
|
17 |
M Rato |
Yam |
+1m11.157 |
269.3 |
| Not Classified | ||||
|
RET |
M van der Mark |
BMW |
DNF |
274.1 |
|
RET |
R Gardner |
Yam |
DNF |
271.4 |
|
RET |
R Vickers |
Hon |
DNF |
270.0 |
|
RET |
S Lowes |
Duc |
DNF |
272.0 |
|
RET |
L Baldassarri |
Duc |
DNF |
274.1 |
WorldSBK Superpole
Bulega’s Saturday started with another clinical Superpole performance, the Italian setting a new Misano all-time benchmark of 1m31.343s to claim pole position by 0.227s from team-mate Iker Lecuona.
That made it seven poles from seven rounds in 2026 and eight consecutive poles overall, matching Jonathan Rea’s all-time WorldSBK record streak from 2021. It was also Bulega’s 16th career pole, moving him level with Neil Hodgson for eighth on the all-time WorldSBK pole list.
Lecuona completed an Aruba.it Racing – Ducati one-two at the front of the grid, while Alex Lowes put the bimota KB998 Rimini on the front row with a 1m32.000s. It was the first time this season that a non-Ducati rider had qualified on the front row.
Yari Montella was fourth for Barni Spark Racing Team, only 0.053s behind Lowes, while Lorenzo Baldassarri and Alberto Surra completed the second row. That meant Ducati machinery filled five of the top six positions.
The session was short and sharp, but still messy. Garrett Gerloff crashed at Turn 14 before setting a time and was listed as not qualified, Sam Lowes crashed at Turn 13, and Tommy Bridewell fell at Turn 2 after already doing enough for ninth.
WorldSBK Superpole Times
|
1 |
N Bulega |
Duc |
1m31.343 |
272.7 |
|
2 |
I Lecuona |
Duc |
+0.227 |
273.4 |
|
3 |
A Lowes |
Bim |
+0.657 |
269.3 |
|
4 |
Y Montella |
Duc |
+0.710 |
272.7 |
|
5 |
L Baldassarri |
Duc |
+0.875 |
274.1 |
|
6 |
A Surra |
Duc |
+0.962 |
272.7 |
|
7 |
A Bassani |
Bim |
+1.066 |
271.4 |
|
8 |
A Locatelli |
Yam |
+1.236 |
272.7 |
|
9 |
T Bridewell |
Duc |
+1.241 |
274.1 |
|
10 |
S Lowes |
Duc |
+1.284 |
272.0 |
|
11 |
M Oliveira |
BMW |
+1.294 |
275.5 |
|
12 |
T Mackenzie |
Duc |
+1.339 |
275.5 |
|
13 |
R Gardner |
Yam |
+1.447 |
271.4 |
|
14 |
X Vierge |
Yam |
+1.456 |
274.1 |
|
15 |
S Manzi |
Yam |
+1.460 |
268.0 |
|
16 |
M van der Mark |
BMW |
+1.480 |
274.1 |
|
17 |
A Bautista |
Duc |
+1.777 |
273.4 |
|
18 |
M Rato |
Yam |
+2.044 |
269.3 |
|
19 |
S Chantra |
Hon |
+2.060 |
272.0 |
|
20 |
B Sofuoglu |
Yam |
+2.121 |
272.0 |
|
21 |
R Vickers |
Hon |
+2.751 |
270.0 |
| Not Qualified | ||||
|
NQ |
G Gerloff |
Kaw |
– |
270.0 |
WorldSBK Championship Points
|
1 |
N Bulega |
397 |
|
2 |
I Lecuona |
284 |
|
3 |
Y Montella |
147 |
|
4 |
A Lowes |
143 |
|
5 |
S Lowes |
142 |
|
6 |
A Bassani |
122 |
|
7 |
L Baldassarri |
117 |
|
8 |
A Bautista |
99 |
|
9 |
M Oliveira |
93 |
|
10 |
G Gerloff |
87 |
|
11 |
A Surra |
82 |
|
12 |
A Locatelli |
80 |
|
13 |
T Mackenzie |
69 |
|
14 |
X Vierge |
60 |
|
15 |
D Petrucci |
46 |
|
16 |
T Bridewell |
43 |
|
17 |
S Manzi |
34 |
|
18 |
R Gardner |
30 |
|
19 |
M van der Mark |
16 |
|
20 |
T Nagashima |
7 |
|
21 |
S Chantra |
5 |
|
22 |
J Rea |
4 |
|
23 |
B Sofuoglu |
4 |
|
24 |
M Rato |
2 |
|
25 |
R Vickers |
1 |
WorldSSP Race One
Debise wins the final-lap fight
WorldSSP produced the most dramatic finish of Saturday, with Valentin Debise beating championship leader Albert Arenas by just 0.107s after a final-corner exchange.
The official lap-leader data tells the story well. Arenas led the opening two laps, Can Öncü led laps three to five, Debise led lap six, then Arenas took control again from lap seven through to lap 17. Debise, however, stayed close enough to make one final move count.
The WorldSSP field charges into Turn 1 at Misano, where Valentin Debise would later win a final-lap thriller.The decisive attack came on the last lap at the fast Turn 11 Curvone. Arenas tried to strike back into the final corner, but ran deep, allowing Debise to square the exit and win the drag race to the line.
Albert Arenas, Can Öncü and Valentin Debise shared the lead early in the WorldSSP opener at Misano.It was a significant win for Debise and ZXMOTO, not only because of the manner of the victory, but because Arenas had looked in control for much of the second half of the race. Debise also claimed the fastest lap of the race, a 1m37.216s on lap 12, which gives him pole for Sunday’s Race 2.
Albert Arenas controlled much of WorldSSP Race 1 before Debise struck on the final lap.Arenas had to settle for second for the third consecutive race, but it was still a valuable championship result. He extended his lead to 38 points and maintained his record of taking at least one podium at every round so far this season.
Albert Arenas and Valentin Debise fought to the final corner, with Debise winning the drag to the line by 0.107s.Öncü, who started from pole, completed the podium in third, 5.156 seconds from the win. Tom Booth-Amos finished fourth for PTR Triumph Factory Racing, while Alessandro Zaccone was fifth as the top Italian, ahead of Mattia Casadei.
Valentin Debise claimed WorldSSP victory at Misano ahead of Albert Arenas and Can Öncü.Oli Bayliss was seventh for PTR Triumph, 11.240 seconds from victory, and again showed strong pace in a very competitive WorldSSP field. His Triumph was also the fastest bike through the speed trap in the race at 246.6 km/h.
The race also had early drama. Filippo Farioli crashed at Turn 14 on the opening lap and rejoined, while Matteo Ferrari and Philipp Öttl both crashed at Turn 4 soon afterwards. Ferrari retired after one lap, while Öttl rejoined but was ultimately classified NC. Jaume Masia’s race also ended in frustration on the final lap, removing another championship contender from the points.
WorldSSP Race One Results
|
1 |
V Debise |
ZXM |
29m22.738 |
238.9 |
|
2 |
A Arenas |
Yam |
+0.107 |
237.9 |
|
3 |
C Oncu |
Yam |
+5.156 |
235.8 |
|
4 |
T Booth-Amos |
Tri |
+5.934 |
242.7 |
|
5 |
A Zaccone |
Duc |
+7.607 |
238.9 |
|
6 |
M Casadei |
Duc |
+10.450 |
240.5 |
|
7 |
O Bayliss |
Tri |
+11.240 |
246.6 |
|
8 |
S Jespersen |
Duc |
+12.347 |
237.4 |
|
9 |
F Caricasulo |
ZXM |
+12.990 |
241.1 |
|
10 |
R Garcia |
Yam |
+14.792 |
241.6 |
|
11 |
J Whatley |
Duc |
+16.240 |
240.5 |
|
12 |
A Mahendra |
Yam |
+16.325 |
242.2 |
|
13 |
D Aegerter |
Kaw |
+18.112 |
243.2 |
|
14 |
J Alcoba |
Kaw |
+18.384 |
241.1 |
|
15 |
K Zannoni |
Duc |
+21.346 |
238.4 |
|
16 |
R De Rosa |
QJM |
+21.615 |
238.4 |
|
17 |
C Perolari |
Hon |
+22.651 |
238.9 |
|
18 |
O Vostatek |
Tri |
+25.867 |
241.1 |
|
19 |
L Taccini |
Duc |
+32.841 |
241.6 |
|
20 |
Y Okamoto |
Yam |
+33.167 |
236.8 |
|
21 |
A Giombini |
MVA |
+34.530 |
241.1 |
|
22 |
J Cretaro |
MVA |
+34.599 |
241.1 |
|
23 |
H Garzo |
Duc |
+34.843 |
241.6 |
|
24 |
O Konig |
Tri |
+39.565 |
239.5 |
|
25 |
A Carrasco |
Hon |
+58.100 |
234.8 |
|
26 |
X Cardelus |
Yam |
+2 Laps |
236.3 |
|
27 |
L Mahias |
Yam |
+4 Laps |
236.3 |
|
28 |
A Kofler |
Yam |
+5 Laps |
234.8 |
| Not Classified | ||||
|
NC |
P Oettl |
Duc |
DNF |
242.2 |
|
RET |
J Masia |
Duc |
DNF |
242.2 |
|
RET |
M Ramirez |
QJM |
DNF |
240.5 |
|
RET |
B Jimenez |
Duc |
DNF |
242.7 |
|
RET |
F Farioli |
Yam |
DNF |
238.9 |
|
RET |
M Ferrari |
Duc |
DNF |
240.5 |
WorldSSP Championship Points
|
1 |
A Arenas |
Yam |
226 |
|
2 |
V Debise |
ZXM |
188 |
|
3 |
J Masia |
Duc |
166 |
|
4 |
C Oncu |
Yam |
153 |
|
5 |
P Oettl |
Duc |
121 |
|
6 |
A Zaccone |
Duc |
107 |
|
7 |
M Ferrari |
Duc |
101 |
|
8 |
T Booth-Amos |
Tri |
95 |
|
9 |
R Garcia |
Yam |
89 |
|
10 |
J Alcoba |
Kaw |
89 |
|
11 |
A Mahendra |
Yam |
79 |
|
12 |
L Mahias |
Yam |
78 |
|
13 |
O Bayliss |
Tri |
62 |
|
14 |
S Jespersen |
Duc |
59 |
|
15 |
M Casadei |
Duc |
39 |
|
16 |
F Farioli |
Yam |
33 |
|
17 |
D Aegerter |
Kaw |
28 |
|
18 |
F Caricasulo |
ZXM |
27 |
|
19 |
J Whatley |
Duc |
26 |
|
20 |
O Vostatek |
Tri |
18 |
|
21 |
C Perolari |
Hon |
17 |
|
22 |
A Giombini |
MVA |
13 |
|
23 |
Y Okamoto |
Yam |
3 |
|
24 |
X Cardelus |
Yam |
2 |
|
25 |
K Zannoni |
Duc |
1 |
WorldSPB Race One
Ieraci wins a Sportbike thriller
Bruno Ieraci claimed his first WorldSPB victory after 12 tense laps of Sportbike action at Misano, the CM Triumph Factory Racing rider holding off wildcard Filippo Bianchi and Australian Carter Thompson.
Ieraci led the first ten laps of the race, but never had the comfort suggested by that statistic. The front group remained tight throughout, with pole-sitter David Salvador, Bianchi, Thompson, Antonio Torres and Fenton Seabright all in the podium conversation.
David Salvador led the early WorldSPB fight at Misano before eventually finishing fourth in Race 1.Salvador finally found a way to the front on lap 11, but Ieraci struck back on the final lap and led when it mattered most. He crossed the line 0.555s ahead of Bianchi, giving Triumph its first WorldSPB victory.
Carter Thompson again proved the standout Yamaha rider in WorldSPB, fighting for victory before finishing third.Bianchi’s second place was one of the standout rides of the race. The Team MMP Velocita wildcard had already impressed by qualifying on the front row, then backed that up by fighting for victory and finishing on the podium on debut.
David Salvador heads Filippo Bianchi during the hard-fought WorldSPB opener at Misano.Thompson had been right in the victory fight throughout, but a big slide at Turn 10 on the final lap cost him the chance to attack Ieraci and Bianchi. Even so, the Australian achieved third, marking back-to-back podium finishes and another strong result in a class that continues to produce tight front-group racing. Thompson also continues to be the clear standout amongst the Yamaha entrants.
Bruno Ieraci leads David Salvador on his way to a breakthrough WorldSPB Race 1 victory at Misano.Salvador finished fourth and still extended his championship advantage to 14 points, while team-mate Antonio Torres completed the top five for Team ProDina Kawasaki XCI.
Bruno Ieraci topped the WorldSPB podium at Misano ahead of Filippo Bianchi and Carter ThompsonSeabright crossed the line in the podium fight but was dropped to sixth after being penalised two positions for exceeding track limits on the final lap at Turns 13 and 15. He did, however, set the fastest lap of the race, a new race record of 1m42.822s on lap three, which gives him pole for Sunday’s Race 2. Thompson and Salvador will join him on the front row.
The race was busy from the opening minutes. Gonzalo Cazard crashed at Turn 1, Matteo Vannucci crashed at Turn 6 and rejoined to finish 26th, while Akshay Agaska and Kas Beekmans crashed at Turn 14. Beekmans had already been carrying a double long-lap penalty from Aragon Race 2, while Benat Fernandez retired early.
Taiyo Aksu finished 24th on the PATA AG Motorsport Italia Honda CBR600RR after starting from the back rows, his best lap a 1m43.814s.
WorldSPB Race One Results
|
1 |
B Ieraci |
Tri |
20m45.506 |
211.4 |
|
2 |
F Bianchi |
Apr |
+0.555 |
211.4 |
|
3 |
C Thompson |
Yam |
+0.632 |
212.6 |
|
4 |
D Salvador |
Kaw |
+1.163 |
211.4 |
|
5 |
A Torres |
Kaw |
+1.257 |
214.3 |
|
6 |
F Seabright |
Tri |
+1.400 |
213.0 |
|
7 |
X Artigas |
Kaw |
+1.789 |
212.2 |
|
8 |
E Bartolini |
Tri |
+1.900 |
215.6 |
|
9 |
J Buis |
Suz |
+2.224 |
210.9 |
|
10 |
T Benetti |
Apr |
+3.284 |
213.0 |
|
11 |
J Osuna |
Kaw |
+7.345 |
208.9 |
|
12 |
A Fuertes |
Kaw |
+7.400 |
209.3 |
|
13 |
J Risueno |
Kaw |
+7.500 |
215.6 |
|
14 |
L Veneman |
Kaw |
+12.258 |
211.8 |
|
15 |
M Gennai |
Yam |
+12.368 |
208.1 |
|
16 |
G Sanchez |
Yam |
+12.457 |
214.3 |
|
17 |
H Maier |
Yam |
+12.521 |
211.8 |
|
18 |
F Fleerackers |
Suz |
+13.357 |
208.9 |
|
19 |
A Di Persio |
Yam |
+13.364 |
211.4 |
|
20 |
J Correa |
Kaw |
+23.096 |
210.1 |
|
21 |
H Dessoy |
Tri |
+23.114 |
209.7 |
|
22 |
M Sorrenti |
Apr |
+23.257 |
208.1 |
|
23 |
T Sovicka |
Yam |
+31.101 |
206.1 |
|
24 |
T Aksu |
Hon |
+45.141 |
211.4 |
|
25 |
A Zanca |
Kov |
+45.315 |
206.5 |
|
26 |
M Vannucci |
Apr |
+47.160 |
213.0 |
| Not Classified | ||||
|
RET |
M Gaggi |
Yam |
DNF |
212.2 |
|
RET |
G Cazard |
Yam |
DNF |
204.9 |
|
RET |
I Peristeras |
Apr |
DNF |
208.9 |
|
RET |
K Beekmans |
Suz |
DNF |
204.5 |
|
RET |
A Agaska |
Yam |
DNF |
210.9 |
|
RET |
B Fernandez |
Kov |
DNF |
211.8 |
WorldSPB Championship Points
|
1 |
D Salvador |
139 |
|
2 |
A Torres |
124 |
|
3 |
X Artigas |
118 |
|
4 |
J Buis |
97 |
|
5 |
M Vannucci |
90 |
|
6 |
B Ieraci |
88 |
|
7 |
F Fleerackers |
80 |
|
8 |
C Thompson |
73 |
|
9 |
L Veneman |
62 |
|
10 |
F Seabright |
48 |
|
11 |
E Bartolini |
46 |
|
12 |
A Fuertes |
45 |
|
13 |
H Dessoy |
41 |
|
14 |
K Beekmans |
24 |
|
15 |
J Osuna |
23 |
|
16 |
M Gaggi |
22 |
|
17 |
F Bianchi |
20 |
|
18 |
D Poncet |
18 |
|
19 |
B Fernandez |
18 |
|
20 |
M Gennai |
17 |
|
21 |
F Mulya |
12 |
|
22 |
A Di Persio |
12 |
|
23 |
T Benetti |
11 |
|
24 |
J Correa |
10 |
|
25 |
J Risueno |
9 |
|
26 |
G Sanchez |
4 |
|
27 |
H Maier |
4 |
|
28 |
M Sorrenti |
2 |
|
29 |
R Fernandez |
1 |
|
30 |
T Aksu |
1 |
|
31 |
A Agaska |
1 |
WorldWCR Race One
Herrera and Neila in a race of their own
Maria Herrera strengthened her WorldWCR championship lead with victory in Race 1 at Misano, but Beatriz Neila made her work all the way to the flag in what quickly became a private duel at the front.
Herrera led all 12 laps, but Neila shadowed her throughout and finished only 0.125s behind. Neila tried to set up a move late in the race, particularly in the final sector, but Herrera defended well and secured her fourth win of the season.
Behind them, however, the race told a very different story. Third place was eventually decided more than 21 seconds behind the leading pair, despite the race being only 12 laps long. That underlined just how far Herrera and Neila were ahead of the rest of the WorldWCR field at Misano, with the opening race effectively splitting into two contests: the title rivals fighting for victory, and a large chasing group scrapping for the final podium place.
Maria Herrera topped the WorldWCR podium at Misano after holding off Beatriz Neila, with Chloe Jones third more than 21 seconds behind.The result lifted Herrera to 156 points, extending her championship lead over Neila, who moved to 137. Ramos remains third on 86 despite failing to finish, ahead of Ponziani on 76 and Sarapuech on 67.
The battle for the final podium place was chaotic from early in the race. Pole-sitter Paola Ramos and Italian wildcard Joy Bruno were both in that fight before crashing together at Turn 1 on lap five, ending promising races for both. Just before that, Justine Pedemonte had crashed at Turn 14, while Mallory Dobbs had already gone down at Turn 8.
Roberta Ponziani then looked set to claim the final podium position and underlined her pace with a new race lap record of 1m47.564s on lap seven. Her race ended soon afterwards, however, with a Turn 1 crash after eight laps. That fastest lap earns Ponziani pole for Sunday’s Race 2.
The final podium place eventually went to Chloe Jones, who had started ninth and recovered from a poor getaway. Jones came through the five-rider chase group to secure third, her first podium of the season for Monster Energy Crescent Yamaha, but she crossed the line 21.753s behind Herrera.
Yvonne Cerpa finished just 0.008s behind Jones in fourth, with Karolina Danak fifth at +21.984s and Pakita Ruiz sixth at +22.096s, showing how tight the fight for third had been, even if it was a long way behind the two title contenders.
Muklada Sarapuech crossed the line in the podium fight but was demoted to seventh after a three-second penalty, while Sara Sanchez finished eighth.
Australian Tayla Relph was ninth for Full Throttle Racing, 25.819s from the win, and Emily Bondi completed the top ten.
WorldWCR Race One Results
1. Maria Herrera (Terra & Vita GRT Yamaha WorldWCR)
2. Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha) +0.125s
3. Chloe Jones (Monster Energy Crescent Yamaha) +21.753s
4. Yvonne Cerpa (MotosCerpa-Gradara Corse) +21.761s
5. Karolina Danak (Prata Motor Sport) +22.984s
6. Pakita Ruiz (PR46+1 Racing Team) +22.096s
9. Tayla Relph +25.819s
WorldWCR Championship Points
|
1 |
M Herrera |
156 |
|
2 |
B Neila |
137 |
|
3 |
P Ramos |
86 |
|
4 |
R Ponziani |
76 |
|
5 |
M Sarapuech |
67 |
|
6 |
C Jones |
61 |
|
7 |
N Rivera |
54 |
|
8 |
P Ruiz |
51 |
|
9 |
L Boudesseul |
45 |
|
10 |
Y Cerpa |
45 |
|
11 |
T Relph |
39 |
|
12 |
A Madrigal |
38 |
|
13 |
K Danak |
29 |
|
14 |
S Sanchez |
28 |
|
15 |
I Carreno |
15 |
|
16 |
E Bondi |
9 |
|
17 |
D Dal Zotto |
9 |
|
18 |
L Vieillard |
8 |
|
19 |
A Barale |
7 |
|
20 |
M Dobbs |
6 |
|
21 |
P Sowa |
6 |
|
22 |
L Michel |
3 |
|
23 |
A Ourednickova |
3 |
|
24 |
K Hand |
2 |
2026 Motul FIM Superbike World Championship calendar
| Date |
Country |
Circuit |
WorldSBK |
WorldSSP |
WorldSPB |
|
20-22 Feb |
AUS |
Phillip Island GP |
X |
X |
|
|
27-29 Mar |
POR |
Portimao |
X |
X |
X |
|
17-19 Apr |
NED |
TT Assen |
X |
X |
X |
|
1-3 May |
HUN |
Balaton Park |
X |
X |
|
|
15-17 May |
CZE |
Most |
X |
X |
X |
|
29-31 May |
ESP |
MotorLand Aragon |
X |
X |
X |
|
12-14 Jun |
ITA |
Misano – Marco Simoncelli |
X |
X |
X |
|
10-12 Jul |
UK |
Donington Park |
X |
X |
|
|
4-6 Sep |
FRA |
Nevers Magny-Cours |
X |
X |
X |
|
25-27 Sep |
ITA |
Cremona |
X |
X |
X |
|
9-11 Oct |
POR |
Estoril |
X |
X |
|
|
16-18 Oct |
ESP |
Jerez – Angel Nieto* |
X |
X |
X |
2026 World Superbike Championship Entry List
|
Rider |
Bike |
Team |
|
I.Lecuona |
Duc |
Aruba.It Ducati |
|
N.Bulega |
Duc |
Aruba.It Ducati |
|
D.Petrucci |
BMW |
ROKiT BMW Motorrad |
|
M.Oliveira |
BMW |
ROKiT BMW Motorrad |
|
A.Locatelli |
Yam |
Pata Maxus Yamaha |
|
X.Vierge |
Yam |
Pata Maxus Yamaha |
|
Y.Montella |
Duc |
Barni Spark |
|
A.Bautista |
Duc |
Barni Spark |
|
A.Lowes |
Bim |
bimota by Kawasaki |
|
A.Bassani |
Bim |
bimota by Kawasaki |
|
S.Chantra |
Hon |
Honda HRC |
|
J.Dixon |
Hon |
Honda HRC |
|
S.Manzi |
Yam |
GYTR GRT Yamaha |
|
R.Gardner |
Yam |
GYTR GRT Yamaha |
|
S.Lowes |
Duc |
ELF Marc VDS |
|
L.Baldassarri |
Duc |
Goeleven |
|
T.Mackenzie |
Duc |
MGM Racing |
|
G.Gerloff |
Kaw |
Kawasaki WorldSBK |
|
A.Surra |
Duc |
Motocorsa |
|
M.Rato |
Yam |
Motoxracing |
|
B.Sofuoglu |
Yam |
Motoxracing |
|
A.Iannone |
Duc |
Cainam Racing |

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