{"id":1889691,"date":"2026-04-18T09:58:37","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T06:58:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1889691"},"modified":"2026-04-18T09:58:37","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T06:58:37","slug":"nicolo-bulega-brushes-off-dutch-worldsbk-superpole-crash-i-tried-to-improve","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1889691","title":{"rendered":"Nicolo Bulega brushes off Dutch WorldSBK Superpole crash: \u201cI tried to improve\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305147_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>Nicolo Bulega brushes off Dutch WorldSBK Superpole crash: \u201cI tried to improve\u201d<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Nicolo Bulega has brushed off a late crash in Dutch WorldSBK Superpole as the consequence of trying to improve.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Alex Whitworth <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-04-18T10:58:37+01:00\">18 Apr 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305147_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305147_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305147_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305147_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305147_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305147_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305147_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305147_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305147_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Nicolo Bulega arrives in parc ferme on a scooter after crashing in 2026 Dutch WorldSBK\u2026<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0Gold &amp; Goose<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source-cta\">  Add as a preferred source <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Nicolo Bulega has brushed off a crash in WorldSBK Superpole at Assen, saying it\u2019s more important that he\u2019s okay after it.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Bulega took pole position despite the late fall at turn one, his 1m32.144s lap being a new lap record.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The Italian\u2019s first turn fall came after that lap when he was trying to find more improvements.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI just tried to improve a little bit more,\u201d Nicolo Bulega told the WorldSBK international TV feed in parc ferme after Superpole.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cBut anyway the important [thing] is I\u2019m okay, the feeling is good, so good lap time and I hope to be fast also in the race.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Bulega\u2019s pole was his fourth in a row, including Jerez 2025, the Italian being the first rider since Toprak Razgatlioglu between Misano and Portimao in 2024 to set four pole positions in a row. He\u2019s also the first rider since Jonathan Rea five years ago to set pole position in the opening three World Superbike rounds of the season; Rea having been on pole in the first eight rounds of 2021.<\/p>\n<h2>Lowes surprised by lap time<\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Sam Lowes set pole position in Assen last year with a 1m32.596. In 2025, the tyre allocation at Assen included the SCQ tyre, but the softest compound available this weekend is the SCX.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-95622c48ef63b16dffac8531e7e539c64eeea619ff8f288410db315613225175\">  2026 Assen WorldSBK: Bulega pole despite Superpole crash   2026 Dutch WorldSBK, Assen &#8211; Superpole Qualifying Results <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Despite the harder compound for qualifying, Lowes\u2019 lap record was broken by over half-a-second by Bulega, and Lowes, too, was underneath it \u2013 to his surprise.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI really enjoy it here, I was quite happy with the lap time,\u201d Lowes said in parc ferme after Superpole.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cLast year my lap time was with the SCQ tyre, now we have the SCX, so I thought it would be slower.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-71805544536b15defd2e59a5ea9da507e0736ca6de6151fdae6c5f542671bc7b\">  Assen WorldSBK: Iker Lecuona leads red-flagged final practice   2026 Dutch WorldSBK, Assen &#8211; Final Practice Results <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cObviously Bulega did an amazing lap, and all weekend and all year he\u2019s been strong.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI\u2019m really happy with that, showing my speed again, the team has done a mega job, so we\u2019ll keep working for the race, fight for the podium, and really proud of them.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Lecuona \u201cexpected more\u201d<\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Iker Lecuona completed the top-three in Superpole as he continues from his strong Portuguese Round three weeks ago.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">It\u2019s two front row qualifying performances in a row for Lecuona, but the factory Ducati rider was unsatisfied this time.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI expected more, honestly, I did small mistakes through the lap,\u201d he told the world feed in his parc ferme TV interview.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cOverall, I\u2019m happy, we did a good lap, again I worked alone and I feel good.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWe improved the feeling with the bike during today, because yesterday I didn\u2019t feel very comfortable on the bike.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cLet\u2019s see the races, 21 laps, I think we have a really good pace so let\u2019s see what happens.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Lecuona&#8217;s third place confirmed a third front row lockout for Ducati in the opening three rounds of 2026.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>In this article<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Nicolo Bulega<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Iker Lecuona<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Aruba.it Racing &#8211; Ducati<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Sam Lowes<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">ELF Marc VDS Racing Team<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3>  Previous<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> 2026 Assen WorldSBK: Bulega pole despite Superpole crash, Lowes second<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304834_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304834_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304834_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304834_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304834_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304834_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304834_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304834_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304834_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-2b0f850f0b735e5636ce25a0c137c28ab7191715c991c38999174d6d3a68aacc\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/picture-100393850-1649415070.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/picture-100393850-1649415070.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/picture-100393850-1649415070.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Alex Whitworth<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">Journalist<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p>Alex joined the Crash.net team in August of 2024 having covered consumer and racing motorcycle news at Visordown for two years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>More News<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-e12378f8d6d023f496bdf39f3d4c61519bb011bf775df81ddd37b96921b96d6b\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> World Superbikes  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Is Ducati more affected by WorldSBK fuel flow changes in 2026?<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776495600\"> 3h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304933_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Nicolo Bulega, 2026 Dutch WorldSBK. Credit: Gold and Goose.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> World Superbikes  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Ducati WorldSBK riders frustrated despite strong Dutch pace<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776445076\"> 17h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304834_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Nicolo Bulega, 2026 Dutch WorldSBK. Credit: Gold and Goose.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> World Superbikes  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Two manufacturers hit with WorldSBK performance penalties<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776355627\"> 16\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1303327_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Iker Lecuona leads Miguel Oliveira and Alex Lowes, 2026 Portuguese WorldSBK. Credit: Gold and Goose.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> World Superbikes  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cNot so dramatic\u201d for Nicolo Bulega if Toprak Razgatlioglu record goes unbroken<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776349113\"> 16\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1302227_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Nicolo Bulega, 2026 Portuguese WorldSBK, podium. Credit: Gold and Goose.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> World Superbikes  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Only one WorldSBK rider has started a season better than Nicolo Bulega<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776067200\"> 13\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2025-03\/GnG_199618_HiRes.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Carl Fogarty after winning both races at the 1995 German World Superbike. Credit: Gold and Goose.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> World Superbikes  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Miguel Oliveira opposes Ducati WorldSBK performance penalties<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775392032\"> 05\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1303382_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Nicolo Bulega leads Miguel Oliveira, Iker Lecuona, 2026 Portuguese WorldSBK. Credit: Gold and Goose.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Nicolo Bulega has brushed off a late crash in Dutch WorldSBK Superpole as the consequence of trying to improve.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Nicolo Bulega has brushed off a crash in WorldSBK Superpole at Assen, saying it\u2019s more important that he\u2019s okay after it.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Bulega took pole position despite the late fall at turn one, his 1m32.144s lap being a new lap record.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The Italian\u2019s first turn fall came after that lap when he was trying to find more improvements.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI just tried to improve a little bit more,\u201d Nicolo Bulega told the WorldSBK international TV feed in parc ferme after Superpole.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cBut anyway the important [thing] is I\u2019m okay, the feeling is good, so good lap time and I hope to be fast also in the race.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Bulega\u2019s pole was his fourth in a row, including Jerez 2025, the Italian being the first rider since Toprak Razgatlioglu between Misano and Portimao in 2024 to set four pole positions in a row. He\u2019s also the first rider since Jonathan Rea five years ago to set pole position in the opening three World Superbike rounds of the season; Rea having been on pole in the first eight rounds of 2021.<\/p>\n<h2>Lowes surprised by lap time<\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Sam Lowes set pole position in Assen last year with a 1m32.596. In 2025, the tyre allocation at Assen included the SCQ tyre, but the softest compound available this weekend is the SCX.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-95622c48ef63b16dffac8531e7e539c64eeea619ff8f288410db315613225175\">  2026 Assen WorldSBK: Bulega pole despite Superpole crash   2026 Dutch WorldSBK, Assen &#8211; Superpole Qualifying Results <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Despite the harder compound for qualifying, Lowes\u2019 lap record was broken by over half-a-second by Bulega, and Lowes, too, was underneath it \u2013 to his surprise.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI really enjoy it here, I was quite happy with the lap time,\u201d Lowes said in parc ferme after Superpole.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cLast year my lap time was with the SCQ tyre, now we have the SCX, so I thought it would be slower.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-71805544536b15defd2e59a5ea9da507e0736ca6de6151fdae6c5f542671bc7b\">  Assen WorldSBK: Iker Lecuona leads red-flagged final practice   2026 Dutch WorldSBK, Assen &#8211; Final Practice Results <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cObviously Bulega did an amazing lap, and all weekend and all year he\u2019s been strong.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI\u2019m really happy with that, showing my speed again, the team has done a mega job, so we\u2019ll keep working for the race, fight for the podium, and really proud of them.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Lecuona \u201cexpected more\u201d<\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Iker Lecuona completed the top-three in Superpole as he continues from his strong Portuguese Round three weeks ago.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">It\u2019s two front row qualifying performances in a row for Lecuona, but the factory Ducati rider was unsatisfied this time.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI expected more, honestly, I did small mistakes through the lap,\u201d he told the world feed in his parc ferme TV interview.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cOverall, I\u2019m happy, we did a good lap, again I worked alone and I feel good.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWe improved the feeling with the bike during today, because yesterday I didn\u2019t feel very comfortable on the bike.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cLet\u2019s see the races, 21 laps, I think we have a really good pace so let\u2019s see what happens.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Lecuona&#8217;s third place confirmed a third front row lockout for Ducati in the opening three rounds of 2026.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Nicolo Bulega has brushed off a crash in WorldSBK Superpole at Assen, saying it\u2019s more important that he\u2019s okay after it.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Bulega took pole position despite the late fall at turn one, his 1m32.144s lap being a new lap record.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The Italian\u2019s first turn fall came after that lap when he was trying to find more improvements.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI just tried to improve a little bit more,\u201d Nicolo Bulega told the WorldSBK international TV feed in parc ferme after Superpole.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cBut anyway the important [thing] is I\u2019m okay, the feeling is good, so good lap time and I hope to be fast also in the race.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Bulega\u2019s pole was his fourth in a row, including Jerez 2025, the Italian being the first rider since Toprak Razgatlioglu between Misano and Portimao in 2024 to set four pole positions in a row. He\u2019s also the first rider since Jonathan Rea five years ago to set pole position in the opening three World Superbike rounds of the season; Rea having been on pole in the first eight rounds of 2021.<\/p>\n<h2>Lowes surprised by lap time<\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Sam Lowes set pole position in Assen last year with a 1m32.596. In 2025, the tyre allocation at Assen included the SCQ tyre, but the softest compound available this weekend is the SCX.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-95622c48ef63b16dffac8531e7e539c64eeea619ff8f288410db315613225175\">  2026 Assen WorldSBK: Bulega pole despite Superpole crash   2026 Dutch WorldSBK, Assen &#8211; Superpole Qualifying Results <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Despite the harder compound for qualifying, Lowes\u2019 lap record was broken by over half-a-second by Bulega, and Lowes, too, was underneath it \u2013 to his surprise.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI really enjoy it here, I was quite happy with the lap time,\u201d Lowes said in parc ferme after Superpole.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cLast year my lap time was with the SCQ tyre, now we have the SCX, so I thought it would be slower.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-71805544536b15defd2e59a5ea9da507e0736ca6de6151fdae6c5f542671bc7b\">  Assen WorldSBK: Iker Lecuona leads red-flagged final practice   2026 Dutch WorldSBK, Assen &#8211; Final Practice Results <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cObviously Bulega did an amazing lap, and all weekend and all year he\u2019s been strong.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI\u2019m really happy with that, showing my speed again, the team has done a mega job, so we\u2019ll keep working for the race, fight for the podium, and really proud of them.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Lecuona \u201cexpected more\u201d<\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Iker Lecuona completed the top-three in Superpole as he continues from his strong Portuguese Round three weeks ago.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">It\u2019s two front row qualifying performances in a row for Lecuona, but the factory Ducati rider was unsatisfied this time.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI expected more, honestly, I did small mistakes through the lap,\u201d he told the world feed in his parc ferme TV interview.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cOverall, I\u2019m happy, we did a good lap, again I worked alone and I feel good.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWe improved the feeling with the bike during today, because yesterday I didn\u2019t feel very comfortable on the bike.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cLet\u2019s see the races, 21 laps, I think we have a really good pace so let\u2019s see what happens.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Lecuona&#8217;s third place confirmed a third front row lockout for Ducati in the opening three rounds of 2026.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/wsbk\/news\/1093141\/1\/nicolo-bulega-brushes-dutch-worldsbk-superpole-crash-i-tried-improve&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305147_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] Nicolo Bulega brushes off Dutch WorldSBK Superpole crash: \u201cI tried to improve\u201d Nicolo Bulega has brushed off a late crash in Dutch WorldSBK Superpole as the consequence of trying to improve. Alex Whitworth 18 Apr 2026 Share Nicolo Bulega arrives in parc ferme on a scooter after crashing in 2026 Dutch WorldSBK\u2026 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-1889691","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1889691","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1889691"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1889691\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1889691"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1889691"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1889691"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}