History was made at Phillip Island as Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) etched his name alongside a legend, becoming the first rider since the iconic Troy Bayliss to secure three consecutive pole positions at this iconic circuit. But here's where it gets even more impressive: Bulega's achievement also marked Ducati's 200th pole position in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, a testament to the Italian manufacturer's dominance. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) wasn't just a spectator to history; he wrote his own chapter by claiming his maiden front-row start in WorldSBK, joining Bulega and Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) in a thrilling showdown for the Australian Round.
The Tissot Superpole session was a rollercoaster of emotions. Bulega set the early pace with a blistering 1’28.610s lap, leaving rivals in his wake. And this is the part most people miss: Miguel Oliveira's (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) crash at Turn 2 on his first flying lap added an unexpected twist, forcing him to retire from the session without setting a competitive time.
Bulega's dominance continued in the second runs. Despite holding a comfortable lead, he found another gear, shaving precious tenths off his time to secure pole with a stunning 1’28.244s lap. Montella, a consistent performer at Phillip Island, cemented his second place, 0.419s adrift of Bulega. Lowes completed the front row, swapping positions with Montella in the closing stages.
Here's a point that might spark debate: While Bulega's performance was undeniably impressive, some might argue that the absence of Oliveira, a potential front-runner, due to his early crash, slightly dampened the competitive spirit of the session. What do you think?
Beyond the front row, the grid promises exciting battles. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) will start fourth, just ahead of his teammate Axel Bassani. Danilo Petrucci (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), still adapting to his new BMW, showed promising signs with a sixth-place start. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team GoEleven) continued his impressive form, securing seventh place after shadowing Bulega in the final stages.
Interestingly, some seasoned riders find themselves further down the grid. Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team), a former Phillip Island pole-sitter, will start from 12th, while Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) and Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) will line up 13th and 15th respectively, despite their strong past performances at this circuit.
With the grid set, the stage is now set for an exhilarating opening race of the 2026 season. Will Bulega convert his pole position into victory, or will we see a surprise challenger emerge? Tune in at 13:00 Local Time (UTC+11) via the WorldSBK VideoPass and witness the drama unfold!
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