Ducati Sporting Club UK > News Items > Ducati Press Releases > In Race 1 at Estoril, Bulega finishes second after chasing the win until three laps from the end. Bautista defends P3 position to finish on podium

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World Superbike | 2025 | R11 | Estoril (Portugal) | Saturday 11 October 2025

In Race 1 at Estoril, Bulega finishes second after chasing the win until three laps from the end. Bautista defends his P3 position to finish on the podium.

The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team closed Race 1 of the EICMA Estoril Round with a double podium finish for Nicolò Bulega (P2) and Álvaro Bautista (P3).

Starting from second position, the Italian rider battled with his teammate in the first three laps before settling into second place. From halfway through the race, Bulega's pace was impressive, allowing him to close the gap to Razgatlioglu (BMW) to six tenths of a second, but he was unable to complete the comeback.

After taking third place in Superpole, Bautista managed to take the lead but had to give way to Razgatlioglu and Bulega. The Spanish rider then engaged in a thrilling duel with Rea (Yamaha) to defend third place and finish on the third step of the podium.

Nicolò Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #11)
"Unfortunately, I lost ground to Razgatlioglu in the early laps. However, the feeling with the bike was good, and this allowed me to push and recover metre by metre. I pushed hard, but in the end, the front tyre dropped. We'll try again tomorrow".

Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #19)
"I am satisfied with what we did today, first in Superpole and then in Race 1. I also managed to take the lead in the race, but I knew I couldn't keep it. It's no secret now that I struggle a lot in the early laps until the bike lightens up a bit. Anyway, I'm happy with this podium."