Brothers of Italy
The 2026 Superbike season started in the best possible way for most Italian riders, authors of a memorable performance in the Phillip Island Round. Even in Race 1, Nicolò Bulega confirmed himself at the top on the Australian circuit after the best times set in practice and Superpole, remaining steadily in the lead from the start until the checkered flag. Behind him, completing the Italian and Ducati celebration, were Yari Montella and Lorenzo Baldassarri, who with 2nd and 3rd place achieved an all-Italian hat-trick on the podium, which became a poker thanks to the fourth position of Axel Bassani.
Read more Drivers’ and Constructors’ Standings after the Phillip Island Round 2026
Race report
When the red lights went out, Bulega and Montella respectively defended the first and second places won in Superpole, maintaining them until the end of the race. The world runner-up, in addition to being the author of the fastest lap, also generated a gap that did not allow the pursuers to put pressure on him, unlike what happened to Montella, who in the early stages of the race resisted the comeback of Alex Lowes, more brilliant than his twin Sam at the start. On the other hand, Petrucci’s start was poor, slipping from 6th to 10th place. Race 1 ended almost immediately for two-time world champion Alvaro Bautista, who on his debut with the Barni team lost control of the bike between turns 11 and 12. The first signs of the Italian podium were seen on the fourth lap with Baldassarri’s climb to third position, in a phase where Alex Lowes encountered great difficulty in resisting the comeback of Bassani, who completed the recovery on the Englishman and teammate on the 8th lap. Speaking of Italians, it is also worth highlighting the beautiful battle that took place between rookie Alberto Surra and Garrett Gerloff for ninth position, in which the Motocorsa Racing team rider got the better of the Texan on the Kawasaki, who was also overtaken by Petrucci in the final stages. Also noteworthy was the great comeback of Miguel Oliveira, who started from the last position on the starting grid due to a crash in Superpole and climbed up to eighth place. With this success, Bulega equals Max Biaggi’s number of Superbike victories, reaching 21, but above all, it marks the first career podium for Montella.
Read more Phillip Island 2026, Superpole Race: comeback victory for Bulega
Phillip Island, Race 1: finishing order
