World Superbike rookie Nicolò Bulega has began work at his new post after joining the Aruba.it factory Ducati team for the 2024 World Superbike season. The team held a launch event where Bulega voice some of his thoughts on the move to World Superbike and chemistry with his Ducati Panigale V4 R. The reigning World Supersport champion will be on track this week during the Jerez testing event.
“It feels amazing. It’s a good opportunity for me. I know it’ll be a very important year. I will try to enjoy this incredible bike and team and try to do my best. We go to Spain for the first test of the year. I think it’ll be very important to prepare me and the bike to have a good feeling for when we go to Phillip Island in a month.
Referring to previous tests Bulega Continued, “I was very happy. My lap time was good, and my feeling was good. But I was only at 80%. I was very happy to be fast and to be at 80%. I think I have a very good package and team so I will try to bring out all my speed and talent. I have to improve everywhere a little bit because it’s a new bike for me. I’ve never tried a bike with so much horsepower, so I need to adapt my riding style to understand it better. When you ride this very fast bike, you have to understand braking points, how to accelerate and pick up, and you have to adapt to this bike. I think I have to improve everywhere and try to be fast.”
Bulega Could Benefit from Bautista’s Mentorship
Bulega will have his work cut out for him as his teammate Alvaro Bautista is riding in his prime. Bautista will be working on a third straight championship so the pressure to perform will be high for the young Supersport champion. However, given the proximity to Baustista, Bulega has the opportunity to learn from the best. Bulega will have Alvaro Bautista as well as the data from Bautista’s runs to help him get acclimated. Bulega is excited about the opportunity and wants to impress. He stated, “Being here with these beautiful bikes is just amazing. Being here with incredible teammates is wonderful. This is a beautiful experience, seeing it from inside and outside. Last year, when I was called to join this presentation, I was extremely happy.
I’m enjoying it and I’ll do my best. Having Alvaro with me in the team will be tough because he’s such a good racer. I’ll be suffering because Alvaro will be fast all the time, throughout the season. It’ll be my first year as an official rider, so I will have to learn so many things. Having Alvaro as a teammate will be paramount, will be crucial, for me. I’ll try to copy and paste, steal some secrets from him, to be faster. It’s an amazing motorcycle. In my opinion, this new livery is amazing. Last year, it was already beautiful, but this is even better.”