Ducati dominate Assen as Bulega continues historic run

20.04.2026 12:11

The third round of the 2026 WorldSBK season at the iconic TT Circuit Assen confirmed the current hierarchy of the championship. Ducati delivered a flawless performance, while Nicolò Bulega extended his remarkable winning streak in front of 57,494 fans. For the first time in WorldSBK history, a single manufacturer locked out the podium in all three races of a round.

Bulega in complete control all weekend

From the opening sessions, Bulega set the pace and never looked back. After securing pole position, he converted his speed into another dominant weekend performance.

In Race 1, the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati rider controlled the race from the front, finishing ahead of teammate Iker Lecuona and Sam Lowes.

The same story unfolded in the Tissot Superpole Race, where Bulega led every lap to secure another victory for Ducati.

Sunday: another perfect execution

In Race 2, Bulega didn’t make the best start but quickly regrouped. After studying his rivals, he moved back into the lead and controlled the race to the finish.

Race 2 – Top 6:

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +2.724s
Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +5.257s
Alvaro Bautista
Yari Montella
Lorenzo Baldassarri

With another maximum points haul, Bulega extended his championship lead to 69 points. Ducati remain perfect so far in 2026, with nine wins from nine races.

Lecuona shines as Ducati set the benchmark

While Bulega remains the reference, Iker Lecuona continued to impress with consistent podium finishes throughout the weekend. Sam Lowes also strengthened his position in the standings, proving he can challenge at the front.

At the same time, several contenders faced a more difficult weekend, highlighting the current gap to Ducati’s pace and consistency.

WorldSSP: Oettl finally breaks through

One of the standout stories of the weekend came in the WorldSSP class, where Philipp Oettl claimed his maiden victory.

Making his 66th start in the category, the German rider delivered a composed and intelligent performance in challenging conditions. After struggling in Race 1 due to a penalty and tyre issues, Oettl and his team made key setup changes for Sunday.

Those adjustments paid off. Oettl took control of the race midway through and managed the gap expertly, showing both speed and maturity. A red flag brought the race to an early end, but he had already established himself at the front and looked fully in control.

The victory marks a significant milestone in Oettl’s career and moves him into third place in the championship standings. It also underlines the competitiveness of the WorldSSP field, where strategy and adaptability can make the difference.

Sportbike: last-lap thriller

The new Sportbike class once again delivered intense racing. Ferre Fleerackers secured victory in Race 2 with a decisive move on the final lap, highlighting the close competition and unpredictability of the category.

Next stop: Balaton Park & then Most

The championship now heads towards Central Europe, with anticipation building for the upcoming Czech Round.

From 15–17 May, WorldSBK returns to Autodrom Most for what will be the first major motorsport event of the season in the Czech Republic.

WorldSBK offers a unique fan experience, with access to all spectator areas – including the paddock – available with a single ticket.

Important: discounted tickets are available only until the end of April.