Historic: Bulega wins on debut in premier Superbike class and Iannone podium; Bautista fell down and suffered

The Italian Nicolo Bulega made history by winning his debut in the category by winning the first race of Australian Grand Prixinaugural test of World Superbike 2024which was argued in the circuit of Phillip Islandwhile his teammate and defending champion, the Spaniard Álvaro Bautista, was out of rhythm, fell and, although he continued his march, he could only finish fifteenth.

Bulega, who confirmed the good feelings left in training, led an all-Italian podium, crossing the finish line ahead of Andrea Locatelli (Yamaha) and Andrea Iannone (Ducati), something that has not happened since Misano in 1993. He was the first rider of his country to win on his debut after Max Biaggi and Davide Tardozzi.

Although the British Alex Lowes (Kawasaki) was the first to take command at the start, the three Italians shared control of the race until Bulega (current Supersport champion) He took the lead on lap twelve and was given no options Locatelliwhich has reached 2,280 Iannonethird at 2,630 to him returned to competition after 1,560 without competing after being penalized for doping in 2020.

Despite the problems and the obligatory ballast he carries on the motorcycle, Bautista is ambitious. He quickly moved into the leading group, but he gradually lost positions and a crash at turn 10 on the fourth lap put him out of the race, so he had to settle for fifteenth and score one point .

The Turk Toprak Razgatlioglu (BMW), champion in 2021, finished in fourth place, but a penalty for a garage road infringement sent him back to fifth place, after Lowesand the multi-time British champion Jonathan Rea (Yamaha) also had a tough debut on his new bike, finishing seventeenth.

The Spanish Xavi Vierge (Honda) signed in tenth place and Uncle Rabat (Kawasaki) the eighteenth. EFE