Jerez WorldSBK Test 2025: Nicolo Bulega leads Ducati 1-2-3 on Day 1

Nicolo Bulega delivered an impressive performance to top Day 1 of the Jerez WorldSBK Test 2025.

The testing session, held at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, marked the beginning of a critical phase for teams and riders as they prepare for the 2025 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship which is set to begin in just over four weeks in Australia.

The opening day of Jerez WorldSBK Test 2025 was marked by competitive spirit and impressive performances, but it was Aruba.it Ducati‘s Nicolo Bulega who emerged as the standout performer, leading a remarkable 1-2-3 finish for Ducati.

As the green flag waved at 10:00 AM local time, excitement filled the air. The weather conditions were better than expected, allowing most riders to hit the track early.

Notably absent from the day’s proceedings were reigning champion Toprak Razgatlioglu and Iker Lecuona from Team HRC, both sidelined due to injuries. Despite these absences, the majority of the WorldSBK field was present and eager to make their mark.

The initial laps at Jerez WorldSBK Test 2025 saw Tetsuta Nagashima setting the first recorded time of the day with a 1:57.624s, a benchmark that would soon be overshadowed as riders found their rhythm.

Early on, Scott Redding who is returning to a Ducati after a hiatus initially topped the timesheets with a 1:43.015s. However, it was clear that these times were not representative of the potential lap speeds as riders continued to familiarize themselves with their machines.

As the morning progressed, Michael van der Mark took over the top spot with a time of 1:41.104s but it was Bulega who would soon capture everyone’s attention. By mid-morning, he had set the fastest lap of the day at 1:38.731s, becoming the first rider to break into the 1:38s.

Andrea Iannone, riding for Team GoEleven, proved his mettle by clocking in at 1:39.181s, placing him second overall by Day 1’s end. This performance marked a significant return for Iannone as he continues to rebuild his career in WorldSBK following an impressive 2024.

Following closely behind was Scott Redding who finished third with a time of 1:39.280s rounding out an impressive day for Ducati with all three riders showcasing their capabilities on the Panigale V4 R.

The competitive nature of Jerez WorldSBK Test 2025 Day 1 was evident as several riders pushed their limits throughout the afternoon sessions. Garrett Gerloff from Kawasaki Racing Team made his presence felt by securing fourth place with a lap time of 1:39.332s.

Meanwhile, Axel Bassani on the Bimota KB998 also had a commendable outing finishing fifth with a time of 1:39.463s. As testing continued into the later hours of the day, teams focused on fine-tuning their setups and gathering data crucial for upcoming races.

Notable performances also came from Danilo Petrucci and Xavi Vierge, who finished sixth and seventh respectively. Petrucci’s experience shone through as he adapted quickly to his new environment while Vierge continued to impress with consistent lap times aboard his Honda CBR1000RR-R.

The final moments of Jerez WorldSBK Test 2025 Day 1 saw riders making last-minute adjustments and attempting to improve their standings before concluding their sessions at 6:00 PM. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as teams prepared for another day of testing ahead.

Jerez WorldSBK Test 2025 Day 1 Results