Just like in Australia, here in Portimão Nicolò Bulega makes it 3 out of 3 and takes the lead in the riders’ standings, surpassing 100 points in just two race weekends!
The final session of the Portuguese weekend begins: Bulega is chasing a clean sweep, Miguel Oliveira wants a third podium in front of his home crowd, while Iker Lecuona aims to beat his teammate. Here are the results and everything that happened in Race 2 of WorldSBK in Portimão.
Race 2 summary – WorldSBK Portimão
THE START – Great launch from Nicolò Bulega, who keeps the lead, with Alex Lowes immediately chasing. Behind them, Oliveira and Lecuona try to keep the pace, with the BMW rider overtaking the Bimota of Lowes at the start of lap two.
Turn 5 catches out both Yari Montella and Xavi Vierge: on lap four they both crash one after the other. On the next lap, Alberto Surra also goes down, this time bringing out yellow flags at Turn 13. But the list of riders out of the points doesn’t end there: between Turns 5 and 6, Bahattin Sofuoğlu crashes as well.
Meanwhile, Nicolò Bulega continues to lead, opening a gap of just over one second to Lecuona (2nd). Behind them, Oliveira and the Lowes brothers battle for the final podium spot.
At the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, the race becomes increasingly difficult: Tarran Mackenzie and Álvaro Bautista also crash. With 5 laps to go, the race ends as well for Mattia Rato: all remaining riders still on their bikes (except those who rejoined after a crash) are automatically in the points.
Final twist: on the last lap Garrett Gerloff crashes, while Vierge (14th), who had remounted after his earlier fall, overtakes Somkiat Chantra (15th). On the WorldSBK podium once again: Bulega (1st), Lecuona (2nd), and Oliveira (3rd).
Photo: Aruba.it Racing Team
