WorldSBK returns to Cremona for Round 10 of the 2026 season, where Nicolo Bulega could seal the World Championship ahead of his move to MotoGP in 2027.
Nicolo Bulega stands on the brink of making WorldSBK history on home soil. If the Aruba.it Racing Ducati rider wraps up the 2026 title at Cremona; he will do so as an Italian rider claiming the World Championship for an Italian manufacturer, the ultimate fairytale farewell before his highly anticipated step up to MotoGP with VR46 in 2027.
He arrives on familiar turf. Bulega swept all three races at Cremona last season, while Ducati stands as the circuit’s most successful manufacturer, boasting 14 podiums and six victories.
However, his preparation hasn’t been without setbacks. Bulega lands in Cremona following a crash at Mugello while testing Ducati’s 850cc MotoGP machine. Playing it safe to protect his championship bid, he opted to skip the Monday post-race test at the Red Bull Ring.
Bulega arrives in Cremona holding a commanding 146-point lead over his teammate and sole remaining mathematical title contender, Iker Lecuona. Armed with a massive tiebreaker advantage thanks to 26 victories this season, here is how the Italian can wrap up the crown at home:
Scenario 1: Crowned on Saturday (Race 1)
- Requirement: Outscore Lecuona by 15 points or more.
- How it happens: If Bulega wins Race 1 (25 points), Lecuona must finish P6 or lower, 10 points or fewer. Extending his lead to 161 points locks up the title on Saturday, matching the total number of points remaining across the final rounds.
Scenario 2: Crowned on Sunday morning (Superpole Race)
- Requirement: Outscore Lecuona by 3 points or more cumulatively across Race 1 and the Superpole Race.
- How it happens: Extending his advantage to 149 points after Sunday morning’s shorter race makes it mathematically impossible for Lecuona to catch him, with only 149 points left on the board. Given Lecuona’s strong form this season, this remains a more probable outcome than scenario 1.
Scenario 3: The independent 40-point threshold
- Requirement: Score 40 points or more across the weekend, regardless of Lecuona’s results.
- How it happens: Even if Lecuona scores a perfect 62 points across the weekend, Bulega only needs 40 points to guarantee the crown. Taking 40 points limits Lecuona’s net gain to 22, preserving a 124-point cushion. Thanks to his 26-win tiebreaker advantage, a 124-point lead after Cremona is all Bulega needs to wrap up the World Championship on home soil.
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