ride with someone on a mission nailed to your rear end lap after lap. Lecouna was stronger under brakes and whilst Bulega was holding tighter lines mid-corner, Bulega wasn’ t able to convert that into passing opportunities. It was absolutely one of the best races of the season so far and a real showcase for both riders’ talents. Lecouna might’ ve repeated in Sunday’ s Tissot Superpole Sprint Race, establishing an early lead ahead of Yari Montella and Bulega … but it all went wrong when he crashed out on Lap
2 after a mistake on the final corner, which he admitted post-race was his and his alone. He re-mounted in last place but retired on lap 7, his first DNF of the season and the first time Aruba. it hadn’ t scored points in a 2026 race. With Lecouna dusting the gravel out of his leathers, Bulega, having passed Montella, added another win to his tally and that was enough to secure the 2026 team championship for Aruba. it factory Ducati. Lecuona’ s fall meant that he wasn’ t on the podium to share in that slice of glory.
KIWI RIDER 83