Bulega Leads WorldSBK Opening Practice at Estoril
Nicolo Bulega led the opening World Superbike practice session at Circuito Estoril, setting the pace among 22 riders on his Aruba.it Racing Ducati. Alberto Surra was second, 0.052 seconds behind, and Iker Lecuona took third. American Garrett Gerloff finished the session 11th on his Kawasaki.
Nicolo Bulega, the 2026 champion, led 22 riders in opening practice at Estoril on his Aruba.it Ducati, lapping the 4.18-kilometer circuit in 1:35.546. Rookie Alberto Surra came within 0.052 seconds, with Iker Lecuona third, 0.379 seconds back.
Alex Lowes placed fourth for bimota by Kawasaki, Xavi Vierge fifth for Yamaha, and Alvaro Bautista sixth. Garrett Gerloff was 11th on his Kawasaki. Bulega wore gold champion patches; Surra has a 2027 deal and recent Cremona podium; Lecuona had just scored his first treble.
Bulega’s early Estoril pace may shape fan interest and media attention around the penultimate WorldSBK round, potentially drawing more viewers to FP2 and the races. Surra’s close second could boost recognition for the rookie and his team, while Gerloff’s 11th may affect expectations among American supporters. For local Portuguese audiences, Miguel Oliveira’s top-10 placing could add home interest. These outcomes may influence sponsorship visibility and rider narratives, though practice results alone rarely determine long-term impact.