Event
Date
Sat 21st February 2026 (UTC)
Sat 21st February 2026 (Local)
Timestamp
2026-02-21T05:00:00
Time
05:00:00 UTC (16:00:00 Local)
Poster
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Australian Race 1
Date
Sat 21st February 2026 (UTC)
Sat 21st February 2026 (Local)
Timestamp
2026-02-21T05:00:00
Time
05:00:00 UTC (16:00:00 Local)Poster
Your Rating (Click a star below)
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League
SBK
Season
2026
Round
1
Status
Match Finished
Location
Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit
Video Highlights
Play on YouTubeEvent Statistics
Description
The 2026 World Superbike Championship season kicks off at the iconic Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit for the Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Round. The primary challenge for the field is the high-speed, abrasive nature of the 4.445 km Victorian track, which places extreme stress on the Pirelli tires, particularly through the sweeping left-handers like Stoner Corner and Lukey Heights. The objective for the reigning champion, Nicolò Bulega, is to start his title defense with a statement win, while the grid looks to adapt to a major off-season shakeup, including Miguel Oliveira’s much-anticipated transition to BMW and the debut of the Bimota by Kawasaki factory effort.
Strategically, the 22-lap opening race is a test of tire conservation. The goal for the riders is to maintain a blistering pace without destroying the rear tire before the final five-lap sprint to the checkered flag. The tactical focus for many teams remains on the "flag-to-flag" potential if the unpredictable Bass Strait weather shifts, though a dry race demands a precise setup to handle the high-speed transitions. With rookie standouts and established veterans all hungry for the first 25 points of the year, the ultimate goal is to navigate the chaos of the opening lap and secure a podium finish on one of the fastest circuits in the world.
Reports
Result List
WIN
Result Description
Nicolo Bulega delivered a flawless performance to secure a lights-to-flag victory in the opening race of the 2026 season. Starting from pole position, the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati rider fended off an initial challenge into Turn 1 and immediately began gapping the field. By the midpoint of the 22-lap contest, Bulega had established a comfortable cushion, eventually crossing the line 4.776 seconds ahead of his nearest rival. The victory marks his 21st career win, moving him level with Italian legend Max Biaggi on the all-time list.
Nicolò Bulega delivered a clinical lights-to-flag performance on Saturday, February 21, 2026, to secure the first victory of the season. Bulega’s objective was to utilize his pole position to break away early, and he executed flawlessly, building a one-second lead by the end of the first lap. He eventually crossed the finish line 4.776 seconds clear of the field, marking Ducati’s 450th victory in WorldSBK and establishing himself as the early championship favorite.
The battle behind the leader provided the bulk of the afternoon's drama, as Yari Montella and Lorenzo Baldassarri both claimed their maiden WorldSBK podiums in second and third, respectively. Axel Bassani brought the new Bimota KB998 home in a solid fourth place after a fierce duel with Sam Lowes. The race was not without incident; former champion Alvaro Bautista crashed out at Turn 11 on the opening lap, while home favorite Remy Gardner was forced to retire with technical issues. Miguel Oliveira impressed on his debut, charging from the back of the grid after a qualifying crash to finish eighth, rounding out a day that belonged firmly to the "Aruba.it" squad.
1 /Nicolo Bulega /Aruba.it Racing Ducati /WIN
2 /Yari Montella /Barni Spark Racing /4.776
3 /Lorenzo Baldassarri /Team Go Eleven /6.147
4 /Axel Bassani /Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team /6.183
5 /Sam Lowes /Marc VDS Racing Team /8.249
6 /Iker Lecuona /Aruba.it Racing Ducati /12.549
7 /Alex Lowes /Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team /13.746
8 /Miguel Oliveira /ROKiT BMW Motorrad /20.610
9 /Alberto Surra /Motocorsa Racing /21.663
10 /Danilo Petrucci /ROKiT BMW Motorrad /22.250
11 /Garrett Gerloff /Kawasaki WorldSBK Team /22.267
12 /Tarran Mackenzie /MGM Optical Express Racing /22.724
13 /Andrea Locatelli /Pata Maxus Yamaha /30.799
14 /Tetsuta Nagashima /Honda HRC /35.308
15 /Ryan Vickers /Honda HRC /35.311
16 /Bahattin Sofuoglu /Motoxracing Yamaha /59.515
17 /Mattia Rato /Motoxracing Yamaha /1:14.921
18 /Xavi Vierge /Pata Maxus Yamaha /DNF
19 /Alvaro Bautista /Barni Spark Racing /DNF
20 /Remy Gardner /GYTR GRT /DNF
21 /Stefano Manzi /GYTR GRT /DNF
Nicolò Bulega delivered a clinical lights-to-flag performance on Saturday, February 21, 2026, to secure the first victory of the season. Bulega’s objective was to utilize his pole position to break away early, and he executed flawlessly, building a one-second lead by the end of the first lap. He eventually crossed the finish line 4.776 seconds clear of the field, marking Ducati’s 450th victory in WorldSBK and establishing himself as the early championship favorite.
The battle behind the leader provided the bulk of the afternoon's drama, as Yari Montella and Lorenzo Baldassarri both claimed their maiden WorldSBK podiums in second and third, respectively. Axel Bassani brought the new Bimota KB998 home in a solid fourth place after a fierce duel with Sam Lowes. The race was not without incident; former champion Alvaro Bautista crashed out at Turn 11 on the opening lap, while home favorite Remy Gardner was forced to retire with technical issues. Miguel Oliveira impressed on his debut, charging from the back of the grid after a qualifying crash to finish eighth, rounding out a day that belonged firmly to the "Aruba.it" squad.
1 /Nicolo Bulega /Aruba.it Racing Ducati /WIN
2 /Yari Montella /Barni Spark Racing /4.776
3 /Lorenzo Baldassarri /Team Go Eleven /6.147
4 /Axel Bassani /Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team /6.183
5 /Sam Lowes /Marc VDS Racing Team /8.249
6 /Iker Lecuona /Aruba.it Racing Ducati /12.549
7 /Alex Lowes /Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team /13.746
8 /Miguel Oliveira /ROKiT BMW Motorrad /20.610
9 /Alberto Surra /Motocorsa Racing /21.663
10 /Danilo Petrucci /ROKiT BMW Motorrad /22.250
11 /Garrett Gerloff /Kawasaki WorldSBK Team /22.267
12 /Tarran Mackenzie /MGM Optical Express Racing /22.724
13 /Andrea Locatelli /Pata Maxus Yamaha /30.799
14 /Tetsuta Nagashima /Honda HRC /35.308
15 /Ryan Vickers /Honda HRC /35.311
16 /Bahattin Sofuoglu /Motoxracing Yamaha /59.515
17 /Mattia Rato /Motoxracing Yamaha /1:14.921
18 /Xavi Vierge /Pata Maxus Yamaha /DNF
19 /Alvaro Bautista /Barni Spark Racing /DNF
20 /Remy Gardner /GYTR GRT /DNF
21 /Stefano Manzi /GYTR GRT /DNF
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