Nicolo Bulega was left searching for answers after recording a double Sunday retirement at the Dutch WorldSBK round in Assen.
The championship leader had the perfect Saturday as he claimed his fourth win of the season, but an unexplainable double retirement on Sunday ended hopes of a possible treble.
The Italian’s retirement in the Superpole race forced him to start from tenth on the grid, but he carved his way through the field to hold a near three-second lead before the penultimate lap of Race 2.
Moments later, he came to a halt on his V4 R Panigale, visibly frustrated as he smashed the bike to pieces.
“Now It’s difficult [to take],” Bulega admitted post-race to media including Motorsport Week.
“I was very good. Honestly. I did a very good race. A lot of overtakes, I had a lot of fun.
“And then arrived two laps to go and the bike stopped for the second time today. Obviously, I’m not happy, but I don’t know what to say.
“Honestly, I didn’t ask [what the problem was from the Superpole race]. I think the problem that I feel was the same, but I don’t know if it’s really the same.
“Ah, when I put the gear here in the straight, the bike could turn off, and that’s completely off.”
His nearest challenger Toprak Razgatlioglu secured the Superpole and finished Race 2 in eighth position, reducing the deficit to 21 points.
“Yes, I dominate, but at least I bring at home not too much, because for, they give you points after the checkered flag, not just for being fast.
“Okay, I go home, with confidence that I am really strong, that we have a really good package. But here we lose too much [points].”
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