Aruba.it Racing Ducati Ready for Portimão as 2026 WorldSBK Season Heads to Europe

Bulega targets first Portimão win while Lecuona aims to build momentum after strong Australia debut.

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The 2026 WorldSBK season shifts to Europe this weekend as the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team prepares for Round 2 at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão, Portugal.

Following an impressive season opener in Australia highlighted by Nicolò Bulega’s dominant hat-trick victory, the Italian squad arrives in Portugal with strong momentum and confidence. The team has already begun preparations at the Portimão circuit, aiming to maintain its competitive edge in one of the championship’s most demanding venues.

Bulega chasing breakthrough win in Portimão

Despite his strong performances, Nicolò Bulega is still searching for his first WorldSBK victory at Portimão. The Italian rider is optimistic about continuing his form after the successful Australian round and is determined to fight at the front once again.

Bulega also reflected on last season’s intense battles at the Portuguese circuit, underlining his motivation to remain a top contender.

“It’s great to be back racing after the break, especially after a positive weekend in Australia,” he said. “We want to carry that performance into Portimão and stay competitive throughout the weekend.”

Lecuona focused on steady progress

On the other side of the garage, Iker Lecuona continues his adaptation to the Ducati Panigale V4 R. After a promising first outing in Australia, the Spaniard is targeting further improvements as he builds confidence with the bike.

Although pre-season testing was limited due to challenging weather conditions, Lecuona believes the team gained valuable insights during the opening round.

“We didn’t get many laps during testing, but we learned a lot in Australia, especially in dry conditions,” he explained. “The goal now is to keep improving step by step and find the right feeling to achieve the best possible results.”

Weekend schedule and new race times

Track action at Portimão begins with Free Practice 1 on Friday morning at 10:20 local time (11:20 CEST). Meanwhile, both Race 1 and Race 2 will follow a revised schedule this season, starting at 15:30 local time (16:30 CEST) on Saturday and Sunday.

With confidence high and momentum on their side, Aruba.it Racing – Ducati will be looking to extend their strong start to the 2026 WorldSBK campaign as the championship continues in Europe.