Nicolo Bulega was the star of the show as he again showed no sig💧ns of slowing down on day-one of the Catalunya WorldSBK round.

Fastest in the test last weꦐek, Bulega led the afternoon session ahead of team-🦹mate Alvaro Bautista.  

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“It was a good first day because my feeling with the bike was good,” said Bulega. “It was gꦰood to make the test here because it was my first time here with the big bike.

“It was nice to already have some information for the weekend. I’m happy with my race pace because it was really good. I th꧙ink I’m r𝐆eady for the race.”

Tyre wear is the main concern for every rid🐻er and team th𓆏is weekend, but Bulega seemed to have a handle on how much to push during his FP2 simulation.

Still, the rookie expects to struggle when it comes to both feature races, although his rivals found it even more diffic♛ult during FP2’s scorching conditions.

“For sure, the main problem for the whole race will be the tyres,” said Bulega. “We will need to be very smart🥂 to understand which one to use.

“I think for acce𝓡leration but also in the middle of the corner; in these long corners here in Barce🐻lona we’ll struggle a lot.”

The f♓astest rider over one lap throughout pre-season and both rꦍace weekends thus far, Bulega is a firm favourite for pole position on Saturday.

However, the pace shown🌄 by Bulega in race trim has also been very promising for the young Italian.

Asked if he’s the new benchmark for other Ducati riders, Bulega said: “I was fast not only over one lap buꦜt also with my race pace. 

“It was a good FP2♉. I think we have to continue in this way but try to improve something. Our rivals will try something to catch me.”