After completing his first MotoGP race weekend, Nicolo Bulega explained the differences between riding a WorldSBK Ducati and a MotoGP Ducati.
Bulega took to the streets of Portimao after completing half a day of testing at Jerez on Marc Márquez’s Ducati, following his announcement as the Spaniard’s replacement.
Though he famously outlapped two-time champion Francesco Bagnaia in first practice and crashed in the Sprint, Bulega impressed further by scoring a single point with a 15th-place finish in the main race.
The Italian rider reflected that he couldn’t ride the MotoGP Ducati Desmosedici the same way he does the WorldSBK Ducati Panigale during his first MotoGP race.
“In the first few laps, I was very calm, just wanting to warm up the front tyre to understand how I needed to brake,” he explained to Speedweek.
“Throughout the race, I kept telling myself: ‘Don’t brake like you do in the Superbike World Championship, don’t brake like you do on the Pirelli tyres.’
“I couldn’t use my natural riding style and constantly had to think about how to do things on the bike. It’s difficult to be that fast because you don’t normally think much while riding.
“The first few laps were a bit difficult, but when I caught up with Miguel and the guys in front, I made a mistake in Turn 5.
“After I had adapted my riding style better and better to the bike, I caught up with the group around Miguel Oliveira. But then, in the heat of the moment, I briefly forgot my good intentions.
“To avoid crashing, I had to go wide in the duels and lost two or three seconds to the local favorite. I fought my way back, but unfortunately the race was suddenly over.”
The two-time WorldSBK vice champion further explained that his braking technique differed from that of his competitors.
““The brake function is the same, but the other riders use different fingers to brake. It’s simply a different way. I made the mistake while I was struggling with the device.
“I had to brake, then realised I was being too aggressive, and I released the lever because I didn’t want to crash again.
“The pace at the end was really good in the last six or seven laps. I’m very happy with the second half of the race.”
READ MORE – Toprak Razgatlioglu backs Nicolo Bulega ahead of MotoGP debut at Portimao
Discussion about this post