Nicolo Bulega surprised everyone in the paddock by securing pole position for the highly anticipated ‘Race of Champions’ at World Ducati Week on Saturday, with a spectacular performance that left rivals gasping for answers.
Under blazing sunshine at the Misano World Circuit, Italian sensation Marco Simoncelli clocked a brilliant time of 1:34.386 to claim top spot on the grid for Sunday’s prestigious showdown. Lorenzo Baldassarri will start alongside them after a fierce battle, while reigning MotoGP champion Peco Bagnaia clawed his way into third in the final seconds of qualifying, ensuring a star-studded front row for Ducati’s most famous event.
This isn’t just another race weekend. The 2024 World Ducati Week marks the centenary of Italy’s famous motorcycle brand, which has turned Misano into a mecca for Ducatisti from around the world. The ‘Race of Champions’ is the jewel in the crown – a battle royale that pits factory legends, world Superbike titans and MotoGP heroes against each other on identical Panigale V4 S machines. With the stakes raised by a revised format and a grid filled with veterans of two-wheel racing, the tension was palpable from the moment the engines started. For Ducati, this race is more than a spectacle; It is a statement of heritage, innovation and constant movement.
Qualifying unfolded with relentless drama. As the field battled for supremacy, Alberto Surra set an early benchmark by taking the lead. Bulega and Fabio Di Giannantonio responded immediately, but it was Baldassarri who came out on top in the mid-session, clocking an impressive 1:35.206. The lead changed repeatedly, with Bagnaia moving to second and Bulega momentarily dropping to third.
Yet the real fireworks exploded in the final third of the season. With just 17 minutes remaining, Bulega clocked a stunning 1:34.943, taking the lead and sending a clear message to his rivals. Baldassarri briefly retook the lead, but Bulega responded with a hammering – his pole-securing 1:34.386, almost four tenths clear of the chasing pack.
Meanwhile, all eyes were on Mark Marquez. The eight-time world champion kept fans and foes alike guessing and decided to stay in the garage for the final 14 minutes of the session. When he finally took to the track, the Honda legend struggled to find his rhythm and could only manage 14th on his first flying lap. He steadily improved, eventually finishing 12th on the grid – far from his usual standards, but enough to keep him in the mix for Sunday’s main event. Ducati’s perennial test rider Michele Pirro overtook Márquez, but could only manage 13th.
As the clock ticked down, Bagnaia took the lead late and dropped from seventh to third in a desperate final minute. Elsewhere, Franco Morbidelli claimed a solid fourth place, Yari Montella earned leading row two honours, and Surra’s early pace saw him move up to fifth. WorldSBK ruler Alvaro Bautista could only manage 11th, while Di Giannantonio was seventh.
“We knew there would be a battle out there today,” Bulega said, smiling after his pole-winning performance. “The bikes are equal, the competition is fierce, and everyone wants to win here—especially as Ducati celebrates its 100th anniversary. Tomorrow, anything can happen.”
Baldassarri was optimistic about his chances: “Racing in Misano is always special, but today was about pure speed. I’m ready to fight for the victory.”
Bagnaia, who never backs down from a challenge, commented, “We left it late, but the momentum is there. Sunday’s race will be all about strategy and nerves.”
With the front row closed and packed, and legends like Marquez lurking at the back, Sunday’s ‘Race of Champions’ promises fireworks. The stakes could not be higher – for the riders, for the fans, and for Ducati’s centuries-old heritage. The only certainty? History will be written in Misano and the world will watch.
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