5.591 seconds, with Bulega just
1.656 seconds ahead of eventual
third-place Sam Lowes.
With Lorenzo Baldassarri
(Team GoEleven Ducati) fourth
once again, the old Kawasaki
beat the much more race-fo-
cused bimota, with Garrett Gerl-
off (Kawasaki WorldSBK Team)
fifth and Alex Lowes (bimota by
Kawasaki Racing Team) sixth.
"I was happy to be battling
with Alex Lowes," Gerloff said,
"and he has definitely been the
reference all year. He has had a
ton of good races inside the top
five, so if I can be with him, it
always makes me feel better."
In the Superpole race on Sun-
day morning, after Lecuona had
also led the morning warmup, he
led until Bulega made a pass on
lap three. Immediately afterward,
Lecuona retook the lead.
Earlier in the season, Bulega
would sooner or later re-establish
his clear superiority, but not now-
adays, as Lecuona kept up the
pace. With one eye on the cham-
pionship itself, Bulega made no
great attempt to get back ahead.
There were bigger gilded crowns
to try on for size later that day.
A novelty arrived in third place
as Surra took his first podium in
WorldSBK. Montella attempted to
pass Surra but was immediately
re-passed, with the off-podium
finish order being Montella, Sam
Lowes and Alex Lowes.
After a tough tangle on lap one
at T7, both Gerloff and Baldassar-
ri crashed. The authorities did not
assign blame or issue penalties
to either rider. Gerloff said, "In the
Superpole race, I had a good start
and was able to get up to about
VOLUME 63 ISSUE 39 SEPTEMBER 29, 2026 P49
Iker Lecuona captured the race wins.
Jeremy Alcoba won both WorldSSP races.
