WorldSBK 2026 Heads to Assen as Bulega and Lecuona Aim to Defend Championship Lead

Aruba.it Racing – Ducati duo arrive at TT Circuit Assen holding P1 and P2 after dominant Portimão performance.

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The 2026 World Superbike Championship (WorldSBK) moves to the legendary TT Circuit Assen in the Netherlands for Round 3, with Aruba.it Racing – Ducati riders Nicolò Bulega and Iker Lecuona looking to maintain their stronghold at the top of the standings.

Fresh off a dominant outing in Portimão, the Ducati factory-backed team heads into Assen with momentum firmly on their side. The duo made headlines in Portugal after securing four consecutive one-two finishes, sweeping every session including Superpole, Race 1, the Superpole Race, and Race 2.

Bulega leads standings as Ducati continues strong form

Nicolò Bulega currently leads the WorldSBK championship standings with an impressive 124 points, establishing a significant 56-point gap over teammate Iker Lecuona. Meanwhile, Lecuona holds second place and will also be focused on defending his position, with just an eight-point advantage over third-placed Axel Bassani.

Despite the early dominance, both riders remain cautious as the season is still in its early stages.

“I can’t deny it’s been a very positive start to the season,” said Bulega. “The results speak for themselves, but what matters most is the feeling with the Ducati Panigale V4 R. As for the standings, it’s still too early to focus on numbers. Last year we had some bad luck, but we were always competitive. We need to keep building on that.”

Lecuona confident but focused on steady progress

For Iker Lecuona, Assen represents a circuit where he has previously enjoyed strong performances. However, the Spaniard is keeping expectations grounded as he continues to build consistency.

“I really like this track and have had good results here before,” Lecuona explained. “But the key is to stay focused. Finishing second three times in Portimão doesn’t change our approach. We need to improve step by step and keep developing our feeling with the bike.”

Iconic Assen set to test championship contenders

Often referred to as the “Cathedral of Speed,” the TT Circuit Assen is one of the most historic and technical tracks on the WorldSBK calendar. Its fast-flowing layout and unpredictable conditions will provide a new challenge for teams and riders alike as the 2026 season continues to unfold.

With Ducati’s factory team in commanding form and both riders occupying the top two positions in the standings, all eyes will be on Bulega and Lecuona to see if they can extend their advantage in Assen.