WorldSBK: Rookie sensation Nicolo Bulega storms to pole

It’s an Italian one-two with Bulega taking the pole position on his debut.

The WorldSBK Championship is already beginning to heat up after the first qualifying session of the year. Many rider, team, and rule changes happened during the winter break, but all talk stopped with Nicolo Bulega taking the pole position.

The riders had a lack of track time on Friday with mixed conditions across the opening day of practice. On top of this, the news broke on Thursday that all riders would have to take a mandatory pitstop during the race. This resulted in an exciting Saturday morning practice and an intense start to qualifying.

Tensions were high at the start of the session with Bonovo Action BMW’s Garrett Gerloff becoming the first rider out the pits. Lap records broke immediately with Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) topping the time sheet after the first flying lap. The Phillip Island circuit was resurfaced before the weekend, providing incredible grip.

Rookies on top

WorldSBK rookie sensation Nicolo Bulega had a great preseason, topping the testing times and would carry the momentum into qualifying. With a tow from his teammate, Bulega set the first-ever 1:27.916 lap time. This broke the lap record and allowed Bulega to become the ninth rider to qualify on pole on his debut.

Joining him on the front row will be the returning Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) and a confident Alex Lowes. It was a thrilling end to the session with all riders using the SC0 Pirelli tyre.

Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) headed the second row of the grid, after a tough pre-season test program due to a virus. The 2021 WorldSBK Champion, Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) qualified in sixth.

On the third row for the first race of the season will be home hero, Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team). ELF Marc VDS Racing Team’s Sam Lowes managed to qualify in seventh in his and the team’s WorldSBK debut. The reigning Champion, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) qualified in ninth as he continues to have a tough start to his 2024 campaign.

Michael Ruben Rinaldi joined Team Motocorsa Racing this year and managed to qualify in 10^th place for race one. He was ahead of the highly anticipated Jonathan Rea who enters his first weekend as a Pata Prometeon Yamaha rider. Rea qualified in 11^th and received a tow from his teammate, Locatelli. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) rounded out the fourth row of the grid as he enters his second season in WorldSBK.

The rest of the Brits

Bradley Ray (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) followed a Yamaha train of Rea and Locatelli for a couple of laps – ending his season in 17^th. Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) qualified in 19^th as he continues to grow his confidence. Meanwhile WorldSBK rookie and PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda rider, Tarran Mackenzie set a 1:31.133 – qualifying in the penultimate position.

Nerves and excitement are now at an all-time high for the beginning of a historic WorldSBK season. Race one for the WorldSBK class will start at 05:00 am UK time for an unforgettable race.

Image credit: Ducati Media