The Cremona Circuit set the stage for a historic chapter for the Motor Valley. Nicolò Bulega was crowned 2026 Superbike World Champion, becoming the first Italian rider to clinch the premier production-derived class title aboard a Ducati. A success undeniably rooted in the Motor Valley, uniting the Emilian rider’s talent with Borgo Panigale’s engineering excellence.

The numbers of a record-breaking season

The mathematical certainty of the title, secured with two races to spare thanks to his finish in Race 2 at Cremona, is the culmination of a one-sided championship. The Bulega-Ducati pairing literally rewrote the class records: the rider claimed 26 victories out of 30 races (alongside four second-place finishes), securing 9 consecutive pole positions and setting a new lap record on every track on the calendar up to the decisive round.

The technical supremacy of the Panigale V4 R

The undeniable protagonist of this dominance was the new Panigale V4 R. Tasked with carrying on a daunting legacy, the Bolognese supersport bike remained unbeaten in its debut year. With 30 wins in 30 races, it guaranteed the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Team the triple crown: Riders’, Manufacturers’, and Teams’ Championships. A collective triumph that takes on an even deeper meaning as it coincides exactly with the year Ducati celebrates its Centenary. For CEO Claudio Domenicali, it is “an all-Italian success,” the result of a motorcycle designed and developed to be a winner right from its debut. A goal fully achieved by Bulega, who adds this triumph to his 2023 Supersport victory, becoming the first rider in history to be crowned champion in both world categories.