Ducati and Nicolo Bulega have officially written their names into the history books by wrapping up the 2026 Superbike World Championship. Bulega made history by becoming the very first Italian rider to secure the WorldSBK Riders’ Title with the Borgo Panigale brand, capping off a remarkably dominant campaign for both rider and machine. It was a clean sweep with Ducati and the Aruba.it Racing team wrapping up the coveted triple crown—taking home the Riders’, Manufacturers’, and Teams’ Titles in one fell swoop.
Unbeatable Debut for the Panigale V4 R
Bulega’s second-place finish at the Cremona Circuit during Race 2 was all he needed to lock up the World Title with two full rounds still remaining in the season. Celebrating the championship on home soil provided the ultimate backdrop, especially as Ducati celebrates its Centenary year.
The triumph represents an all-Italian synergy between the Emilia-Romagna-born rider, the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Team, and the newly updated Panigale V4 R. Designed and built in Borgo Panigale, the machine remained completely undefeated in its debut WorldSBK season.
In fact, Ducati’s grip on the Riders’ Title was mathematically guaranteed back at Donington with four rounds left, when Bulega and his teammate Iker Lecuona became the only two contenders left in mathematical contention. At Cremona, Bulega’s championship seal alongside Lecuona’s weekend sweep of three victories completed a dream run for the team.
Reflecting on the milestone, Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali shared his pride:
“A success with a truly Italian flavour. Together with Nicolo, we brought the new Panigale V4 R to the track, facing the most ambitious goal right from its debut: to be immediately at the top. Today, we can say that it has been the benchmark bike of this season.”
Domenicali also highlighted Bulega’s journey from winning the Supersport crown to establishing himself in Superbike, noting that the title carries extra special meaning during Ducati’s centenary year. He also confirmed that Bulega’s story with Ducati will move to the MotoGP World Championship next season.
Bulega’s Record-Breaking Numbers
Bulega set the pace right from the opening round, demonstrating incredible consistency on the Panigale V4 R.
- 26 wins from 30 races: Bulega took 26 victories, finishing second four times behind teammate Iker Lecuona in four distinct Aruba.it Racing – Ducati 1-2 finishes.
- 9 consecutive pole positions: Showcasing pure one-lap pace throughout the year.
- Lap records everywhere: Set an all-time lap record at every single circuit visited up to the Cremona round.
- Historic double: Having won the Supersport crown in 2023, Bulega becomes the first rider in history to win world titles in both WorldSSP and WorldSBK.
Engineering Supreme: The Panigale V4 R
The latest iteration of the Panigale V4 R carries on a legendary lineage stretching back to 2001. It brings track-focused technology straight from MotoGP to production bikes, featuring MotoGP-derived Corner Sidepods and the Ducati Racing Gearbox—marking the first time these innovations have appeared on a road-legal Ducati.
The new generation bike took over the reins from the model that had dominated the championship since 2022, maintaining an astonishing record:
- 30 wins in 30 races: Going completely unbeaten throughout the season to secure Ducati’s fifth consecutive Manufacturers’ Title.
- Award-winning design: The model’s design was globally recognised in 2025 with the Red Dot Award, the iF Design Award, and the Good Design Award.
Ducati has uploaded the dynamic and beauty presentation videos of the Panigale V4 R to their official YouTube channel, while full product information and images are available to registered users on the Ducati Media House platform.
Ducati’s WorldSBK Legacy in Numbers
Ducati has competed in WorldSBK since the championship’s inaugural season in 1988, remaining the most successful manufacturer in its history:
- 479 victories and 1,266 podiums (an unmatched record across any motorcycle racing category).
- The Panigale V4 R joins the iconic 916 and 999 as the only bikes to claim both the Riders’ and Manufacturers’ titles in their debut season.
17 Riders’ Titles
- Raymond Roche: 1990
- Doug Polen: 1991, 1992
- Carl Fogarty: 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999
- Troy Corser: 1996
- Neil Hodgson: 2003
- James Toseland: 2004
- Troy Bayliss: 2001, 2006, 2008
- Carlos Checa: 2011
- Álvaro Bautista: 2022, 2023
- Nicolo Bulega: 2026
22 Manufacturers’ Titles (Across 38 Championship Editions)
- Ducati 888 (3 titles): 1991, 1992, 1993
- Ducati 916 / 996 / 998 (8 titles): 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002
- Ducati 999 (3 titles): 2003, 2004, 2006
- Ducati 1098 / 1198 (3 titles): 2008, 2009, 2011
- Ducati Panigale V4 R (5 titles): 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
