Ducati Panigale V4 R won all races throughout the season, highlighting the overall success of Ducati. While Italian rider Nicolo Bulega secured his title as the 2026 WorldSBK, Ducati Corse General Manager Gigi Dall’Igna stated that the success belongs not only to the new world champion but to the entire Ducati organization behind the Panigale V4 R project.
Nicolo Bulega’s Dominant Performance
Nicolo Bulega secured second place in Cremona with a controlled performance. However, Ducati’s winning streak continued, and after Iker Lecuona took pole position, he also won three races over the weekend. Bulega's 2026 statistics show how dominant the championship was. The Italian rider achieved 26 victories and 30 podiums in 30 races, won nine out of ten pole positions, and did not miss a race throughout the season. Furthermore, Bulega did not complete any race outside the top two in 2026. In wet conditions, he never dropped below second place since 2024.
The Success of the Ducati Panigale V4 R
The Ducati Panigale V4 R won all 30 remaining WorldSBK races, and Ducati riders took all podium positions since Race 2 in Hungary. Ducati’s dominance was reflected in the championship standings; Ducati riders were in the top three positions, and Ducati accounted for seven of the top 10 overall. The teams riding this motorcycle also achieved very successful results. The Panigale V4 R was very strong this season and won all races. All of our teams riding this motorcycle achieved very successful results. I am very proud of this. The Panigale V4 R must be given its due. But the motorcycle must also be given its due. The Panigale V4 R was very strong this season and won all races. All of our teams riding this motorcycle achieved very successful results. I am very proud of this.
The Contribution of the Technical Team
After speaking following Cremona Race 2, Gigi Dall’Igna highlighted the contribution of the technical team and the Ducati teams in Borgo Panigale while praising Bulega's performance. Dall’Igna said when evaluating Nicolo Bulega's performance:
I am proud of the performance Nicolo showed this season. But I am also proud of everyone who works for this motorcycle. Everyone, from our teams to those working at Borgo Panigale, did a magnificent job.
The Power of the New Motorcycle
According to Dall’Igna, another important part of the 2026 success is the new Panigale V4 R. Dall’Igna stated that the motorcycle must be given its due, saying:
But the motorcycle must also be given its due. The Panigale V4 R was very strong this season and won all races. All of our teams riding this motorcycle achieved very successful results. I am very proud of this.
Lecuona’s Achievement
Iker Lecuona collected the victories at the end of the Cremona weekend. After taking pole position, the Spanish rider won three races, continuing Ducati's undefeated streak in 2026. After Race 2, Lecuona praised his teammate's season, saying, "Nicolo was flawless in every race this season." Bulega is now the 2026 WorldSBK champion. Ducati has won all the races it has entered with the Panigale V4 R. In the remaining part of the season, attention will be on whether the brand can maintain this undefeated streak until the final race.
Figures
- Archive: Iker Lecuona Pole Record, Bulega Second (September 26, 2026)
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Go to sourceCompiled by Şükrü Utku Poyraz
