After eight rounds of the 2026 World Superbike Championship, Nicolo Bulega and teammate Iker Lecuona secured all race wins for Ducati, including historic 1–2 finishes at the Portimão weekend in Portugal. According to WorldSBK officials, Ducati’s factory team achieved a record-setting podium lockout and manufacturer monopoly on victories, leading Bulega to say the dominance has removed excitement from the championship.
The Italian manufacturer has also achieved a four-and-a-half-round podium lockout, meaning nearly all podium positions during that span have been occupied by Ducati riders, sources confirmed. This dominance has left no other manufacturer or rider realistically in title contention, officials said, with Yamaha, Kawasaki, Honda, BMW, and other teams yet to claim a race win this season.
Ducati’s factory team has maintained an unbroken streak of race wins through the first eight rounds of the 2026 World Superbike Championship, with riders Nicolo Bulega and Iker Lecuona securing every victory so far, according to official WorldSBK records.
At the recent Portimão weekend in Portugal, Bulega and Lecuona made history by completing a series of 1–2 finishes, becoming the first team to secure first and second place in Tissot Superpole and all three races of a single weekend since the introduction of the three-race round format in WorldSBK. WorldSBK.com described the feat as a record-setting achievement and part of Ducati’s ongoing dominance. Bulega expressed pride in the milestone, stating he was “proud to be part of the history we made” following the event.
Despite the factory Ducati team’s success, six-time WorldSBK champion Jonathan Rea has publicly criticized the current state of the championship, asserting that Ducati’s monopoly on wins has resulted in “no excitement” in the series. Rea argued that the predictability of race outcomes, driven by Ducati’s overwhelming advantage, undermines the competitive tension that is essential to the sport. He emphasized the impact on fans watching on television, saying that “remarkable predictability” is the “primary obstructor of sporting excitement,” according to statements he made in the context of the ongoing season.
Rea’s comments highlighted concerns over the lack of competitive depth in the championship, noting that only Bulega and Lecuona remain viable title contenders, both riding factory Ducatis. He framed his critique as a matter of fact, contrasting the current situation with what he believes the series should offer in terms of unpredictable and thrilling racing. Rea linked the dominance of Ducati’s factory team to reduced spectator appeal and questioned the broader marketability of WorldSBK under these conditions.
From the team’s perspective, however, the dominance is viewed as a significant accomplishment. Bulega’s remarks following the Portimão weekend reflect a positive stance toward the factory Ducati team’s performance, celebrating the achievement as a historic benchmark. Official WorldSBK coverage has similarly emphasized Ducati’s “dominance” as a key storyline of the 2026 season, underscoring the scale of the team’s success without directly addressing Rea’s concerns.
The concentration of wins and podiums within the factory Ducati squad has shaped the narrative of the 2026 WorldSBK season, raising questions about competitive balance. Experts and officials note that no satellite or independent Ducati riders have contributed to the win tally, indicating that the manufacturer’s success is confined to its official factory outfit. This has contributed to a championship fight limited to two riders on the same team, a situation that contrasts with previous seasons featuring multiple manufacturers and title contenders.
As the 2026 season progresses beyond the eighth round, the tension between Ducati’s technical and team excellence and the desire for broader competition remains a focal point in discussions about the sport’s direction. Rea’s high-profile critique introduces a counter-narrative to the official celebration of Ducati’s achievements, emphasizing the importance of competitive diversity for maintaining fan engagement and the overall health of the championship.
