Bulega bosses Phillip Island opener

Montella and Baldassarri deliver podium firsts as reshuffled 2026 WorldSBK grid sparks early surprises

The many changes and alterations of line-ups ahead of the 2026 WorldSBK season had an instant impact on the Race One results at PI. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) winning by 4.776 seconds was no surprise, but few would have had Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team Ducati) on their bingo card for second place, and fewer still Lorenzo Baldassarri (GO Eleven) as a first-time podium finisher first time out on his Ducati.

Top bimota rider in the end of the 22-lap WorldSBK opener – run over its full 22-lap distance with no pit stops – was Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team), who was just a couple of bike lengths away from the podium in fourth place.

Front row starter Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team Ducati) placed fifth, while Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) got the best of early top three contender, Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team), for sixth place in his first factory Ducati ride.

Having started absolutely last after his non-qualification in Superpole, new WorldSBK star Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) fought his way through to a remarkable eighth, even if he was 20 seconds down on Bulega. An amazing and determined introduction to WorldSBK racing.

New Motocorsa Ducati rider, Alberto Surra, scored a ninth place finish, in a race where four top names – Bautista, Manzi, Vierge and finally Gardner – either crashed out or retired.

Danilo Petrucci (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) completed the top ten after a mid-race fight with his new team-mate.

Next top, a ten lap Superpole Race and a second 22-lap WorldSBK contest on Sunday 22 February.

2025 WORLDSBK PHILLIP ISLAND RACE 1