SBK Misano: One-sided sprint showdown, Nicolò Bulega is unstoppable

This time the unknown factor was the SCQ qualifying tire, adopted by the entire grid. But you can change the compound, shorten the race distance, do whatever you want: Nicolò Bulega always wins.

The superstar of this Superbike era extended his incredible winning streak by dominating the Superpole Race at Misano from the first to the last corner: it’s the thirteenth time it’s happened in twenty races. The consecutive wins are now 24: the streak has been alive since the very first breath of this strange World Championship.

As on every other occasion, Iker Lecuona stuck with him for three or four laps, then the Spaniard let go and so much for uncertainty and showtime. The podium was identical to Race 1, with a steadily more solid Yari Montella once again the top independent rider. If you ride a Ducati, it’s easier.

The morning surprise on the Adriatic shore was the brilliant performance by Alberto Surra, before a mistake at the Carro that cost him position to the more seasoned Axel Bassani, an excellent fourth. Then Surra was penalized three seconds for irresponsible riding, dropping to seventh. The 22-year-old rookie with the Motocorsa team is burning through the stages regardless. Bimota confirms its role as the leading brand after the uncatchable Ducati, despite the malfunction that sidelined the other Rimini bike entrusted to Alex Lowes.

Lorenzo Baldassarri, fifth, absolutely needed to see the checkered flag after the Race 1 mistake that threw away an already banked fourth place. The Go Eleven rider got the better of Miguel Oliveira, BMW’s sole spearhead who is gritting his teeth on return after a shoulder injury picked up at Balaton Park. The Portuguese rider ran a bit wide at the Carro, Baldassarri went through, but in his condition sixth place is worth gold.

While everything has been going wonderfully for Bulega for quite a few months, here at Misano the Superbike’s Donald Duck is Sam Lowes, who suffered his second consecutive crash. A real blow for the Marc VDS team, which in previous rounds had collected plenty of podiums with the same British twin.

Photo: Mauro Stanzani

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