WorldSBK Portimao Race 1

Bulega leads factory Ducati 1 – 2 as Oliveira nails first BMW podium

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.It Racing – Ducati) winning the first 20-lap race at Portimao, and by a clear 2.5 seconds, was no surprise.

Iker Lecuona (Aruba.It Racing – Ducati) finishing second was a first podium for him in Ducati colours.

But a third place at Portimao for multiple MotoGP race winner and WorldSBK ‘rookie’ Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) felt like a case of over-performance this early in his first BMW year.

The Portimao crowd figures have been swollen by the presence of Oliveira and the warm spring sunshine, but the party really got started after he secured a strong and fully-deserved third place in only his fourth WorldSBK race.

In a strangely spaced-out first race of the WorldSBK weekend, with three clear leading riders after Yari Montella (Barni Spark Ducati) crashed out, Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) ended up ahead of his brother Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team Ducati), as they finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

A three rider fight for sixth saw eventual ‘winner’ of this tussle Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) lead the group, then drop back seemingly well defeated, only to rally at the end and regain strong sixth position.

A resurgent Garrett Gerloff (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team) even got the better of the second official bimota machine of Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) in the final laps, with Gerloff eventually seventh and Bassani eighth.

Right at the end Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) got to within 0.2 seconds of Bassani, securing ninth position.

Danilo Petrucci (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was tenth, beating Lorenzo Baldassarri (Team Goeleven Ducati) by 0.5 seconds.

Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) ended his first race day in Portugal 13th.

Two more races on Sunday – the ten lap sprint and a final 20-lap Race Two.

Nicolò Bulega (1st)
“A win is always a significant result, especially for the team, who have done a great job. I’m happy, there’s no denying it, but the aim is to keep making progress regardless. Today we’ve secured our first win at Portimao, with the aim of improving our race pace for tomorrow.”

Iker Lecuona (2nd)
“I’m very happy. Right from FP1 I’ve had a great feeling with my Panigale V4 R. We’re making progress every day and for that I have to thank the team. Today was an important day; I was quick in Superpole and in Race 1 the race pace was strong. We still have room for improvement and it will be great to keep exploring that.”

Miguel Oliveira (3rd)
“I learned some things at the end of the race in terms of the tyre degradation. It was a good Saturday, finally bounced back a bit in terms of speed from Friday, it was a bit of a strange day. We bought back some speed, but it was really tough. I didn’t have much more for the Ducatis out there, but I tried my best until the end, and I learned some things at the end of the race in terms of the tyre degradation, and I’m happy to be on the podium in front of your home fans. The only other thing you can ask for is a win, but I don’t think that’s too realistic looking out there. We’ll have two more opportunities on Sunday, looking forward to them. To do it here has a special taste. You always try to imagine achievements like these, but to do it here has a special taste. It’s important for the whole team, it’s the first BMW podium here with me in the garage. It gives them confidence to show that their job is paying off as well. I want to thank everyone in the garage and back in Munich for putting their faith in me. There’s more work to do, but I’m ready for it. Two more podiums would be perfect, but you don’t race alone, and everything will be super tight.”

2026 WORLDSBK PORTIMAO RACE 1