Another record
Two days and two different records for Nicolò Bulega, who after the fifteenth consecutive win achieved during the Superpole Race at Balaton Park has reached another milestone: that of the highest number of consecutive wins from the start of the championship. Only Alvaro Bautista, in 2019, had managed to collect as many as 11 victories, with the record that could be surpassed this afternoon during Race 2, an event that will not see Miguel Oliveira on track. The Portuguese BMW rider was indeed involved in a contact between Locatelli and Sam Lowes during the first lap, with a crash that raised concerns about his condition. To allow medical intervention on the track, the race was suspended, with the Portuguese then transported to the circuit’s Medical Center for further examinations, fortunately remaining conscious. The Superpole Race then ended with yet another triumph for Bulega and Ducati, with Lecuona and Baldassarri on the podium followed by three other riders on Borgo Panigale motorcycles.
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Race report
First lap nightmare for Bulega, who despite a good start slipped to seventh position following a mistake by Montella, who ran wide in turn 1 while trying to take the lead. Later, entering turn 6, the Emilia rider lost further positions, but it was precisely in this section of the circuit that a contact occurred between Sam Lowes and Andrea Locatelli (later penalized with a double long lap), involving Miguel Oliveira. Immediately assisted, with the Portuguese declared conscious despite initial fears, red flags were shown following the incident, with the starting grid restored and the Superpole Race reduced to 8 laps. At the restart, Bulega this time maintained the lead ahead of teammate Lecuona, who took advantage of the duel between Montella and Baldassarri in the first two corners to move into second place just ahead of the GoEleven team rider. Since then, the top-6 of the standings remained firmly in the hands of Ducati riders, with Bulega again leading this group despite Lecuona’s failed attempt to catch the world championship leader in the last two laps.
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Balaton Park 2026, Superpole Race: finishing order
| POS. | RIDER | BIKE | TIME/GAP |
| 1 | Nicolò Bulega | Ducati | 8 laps |
| 2 | Iker Lecuona | Ducati | +0.894 |
| 3 | Lorenzo Baldassarri | Ducati | +5.103 |
| 4 | Alvaro Bautista | Ducati | +7.955 |
| 5 | Yari Montella | Ducati | +8.674 |
| 6 | Alberto Surra | Ducati | +9.323 |
| 7 | Alex Lowes | Bimota | +10.263 |
| 8 | Garrett Gerloff | Kawasaki | +11.248 |
| 9 | Tarran MacKenzie | Ducati | +13.631 |
| 10 | Xavi Vierge | Yamaha | +15.186 |
| 11 | Remy Gardner | Yamaha | +15.513 |
| 12 | Thomas Bridewell | Ducati | +15.742 |
| 13 | Andrea Locatelli | Yamaha | +15.906 |
| 14 | Stefano Manzi | Yamaha | +17.333 |
| 15 | Axel Bassani | Bimota | +18.738 |
| 16 | Danilo Petrucci | BMW | +18.736 |
| 17 | Mattia Rato | Yamaha | +22.225 |
| 18 | Bahattin Sofuoglu | Yamaha | +22.241 |
| 19 | Somkiat Chantra | Honda | +25.373 |
| 20 | Sam Lowes | Ducati | +26.333 |
| 21 | Yuki Kunii | Honda | +29.476 |
| 22 | Miguel Oliveira | BMW | Crash |