2025 season where they seemed to be making some improvements. Honda wasn’ t really in the same game. Struggling is an understatement.
PENALISED FOR WINNING Ducati’ s dominance didn’ t go unnoticed by FIM and a fuel flow reduction was applied ahead of the Dutch round in Assen. Previously Ducati and BMW were both allowed 45kg / h but Ducati had that pared back by 0.5kg / h for Assen. Doesn’ t sound like much but that’ s a 10 % reduction so surely the adjustment would clip Bulega’ s wings? Fuel flow adjustments are all in the name of parity which, from a racing standpoint, is better than having some brands regularly finish half a lap or more behind the front pack. In other Ducati news, prior to Assen an issue
was identified with some of the double-sided swingarms, a new feature of the 2026 machine, leading to a recall and replacement on safety grounds. A worthy precaution given the potential consequences of swingarm failure.
THE WAY IT WENT DOWN AT ASSEN Bulega took out pole by three tenths of a second from Sam Lowes and then chalked up three more emphatic wins … so the fuel flow reduction didn’ t have much of an impact at all. Lecuona, third in qualifying continues to improve in his debut season on the Ducati, putting Bulega under significant pressure and even passing him to take the lead during a brief period of light rain in Race One. Bulega was able to regain and hold the lead as the track dried and his racecraft this season is so
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