Superbike Assen 2026: Bulega dominates Race 1 in the rain and extends his World Championship lead

ASSEN (Netherlands) — Rain, tension and Ducati dominance: today’s Superbike action at Assen delivers an increasingly clear verdict. The absolute star is once again Nicolò Bulega, who takes Race 1 and strengthens his World Championship lead with a champion’s performance.

Superbike Assen Race 1: Bulega wins ahead of Lecuona and Lowes

At the historic TT Circuit, Bulega secures his seventh win of the season at the end of a race made complicated by changing weather conditions.

Behind him is Iker Lecuona, protagonist of an intense internal duel within the Ducati team, while Sam Lowes completes the podium.

Race 1 standings:

🥇 Nicolò Bulega

🥈 Iker Lecuona

🥉 Sam Lowes

An all-Ducati podium that confirms the superiority of the Italian manufacturer at this start to the season.

Decisive rain at Assen: Bulega perfect in the final stages

The key moment of the race comes in the closing laps, when the rain suddenly changes the track conditions.

In this scenario:

Lecuona tries the attack and takes the lead

Bulega responds with composure

the championship leader manages without mistakes

A demonstration of maturity and control that goes beyond simple speed.

Ducati duel: Bulega vs Lecuona lights up the race

The internal battle between Bulega and Lecuona was the heart of the race.

The Spaniard tried to break the dominance of his team-mate, but the championship leader’s response was immediate and decisive. The final overtake ended any discussion, confirming the hierarchy within the team.

Italian riders in Superbike: Petrucci out, Locatelli in the top ten

A difficult day for Danilo Petrucci, out of contention after a race marked by mistakes and difficulties.

Better for Andrea Locatelli, who manages to finish in the top ten without troubling the front-runners.

2026 Superbike World Championship standings: Bulega pulling away

With this success, Bulega consolidates his championship lead and increases the margin over his pursuers.

Consistency of performance is the real strength: the Ducati rider is competitive in every condition, dry or wet.

Analysis: Ducati and Bulega dominate Superbike 2026

The signal coming from Assen is very strong:

Ducati is the bike to beat

Bulega is the most complete rider in the championship

the opposition is struggling to keep up

With Superpole Race and Race 2 still to come, the Dutch weekend could further strengthen a dominance that, race after race, is becoming ever clearer.