Nicolo Bulega hailed his Ducati bike as “perfect” after securing three wins at the WorldSBK Phillip Island round.
The 25-year-old dominated proceedings across the weekend as he racked up the maximum 62 points to kickstart his 2025 campaign.
The Italian completed his first WorldSBK treble and his nearest contender in the championship standings is teammate Alvaro Bautista, who trails 26 points behind.
Bulega topped every session throughout the week, both in pre-season testing and during the race weekend, sending a strong statement to the field.
“I’m really happy because this is my first hat-trick in Superbike,” Bulega told WorldSBK.com after Race 2.
“It’s incredible, an amazing feeling to do it in my favourite track – it’s something special. Now I want to go back home to celebrate.
“I feel very good, very proud of what me and my team did because my bike was perfect from Monday’s test until Sunday and the last lap of Race 2.
“I was able to push every lap of this week, I enjoyed riding every lap.”
Bulega acknowledged a mistake he made in Race 2, which nearly cost him what would have been his elusive third win of the weekend.
He stated: “I braked a bit more inside at turn four and with the knee slider I touched a bit the kerb that is a bit taller than the asphalt and it moves a lot my leg because it blocks my leg on the kerbs.
“When I opened my leg I lost the front and I almost crashed – I made a not bad save with the knee!”
Nicolo Bulega pinpoints two riders who will be a threat at Portimao round
The 2024 series runners-up pinpointed two riders who will be a threat at the second round of the championship in Portimao.
The series returns to the Algarve on the 28th of March, a track where Bulega finished second last season despite battling illness.
“I’m confident, because last year in Portimao I finished second with a lot of fever, so I think we can be competitive again,” the Italian said.
“I think it will be not so easy because Toprak [Razgatlioglu] especially will be very fast in Portimao, but also Alvaro [Bautista] and other riders.
“So, I will try to maintain this level, but I think it’s very difficult.”
READ MORE – Nicolo Bulega seals dominant Australian WorldSBK treble with Race 2 victory
