Nicolo Bulega: 2024 ‘will be a very important year for me’

Nicolo Bulega has a challenge that Michael Ruben Rinaldi struggled immensely with, which was matching Alvaro Bautista’s stunning speed and consistency over the last two WorldSBK campaigns.

Of course, Bulega will not be expected to do that in his first season with the team, but improving on what Rinaldi achieved will be the aim.

• Dominique Aegerter declared unfit for opening day of Jerez WorldSBK test 
• 2024 WorldSBK Test Jerez, Spain - Day One Results

The Supersport champion achieved something last season which no rider since 2020 managed, which was to jump from the intermediate class into a factory team.

The last rider to do that was Andrea Locatelli, when the Italian won the title in 2020 before securing a switch to Pata Yamaha for 2021.

Set for his first pre-season test of 2024, Bulega said this about being a factory rider: “It feels amazing. It’s a good opportunity for me. I know it’ll be a very important year. I will try to enjoy this incredible bike and team and try to do my best.

“We go to Spain for the first test of the year. I think it’ll be very important to prepare me and the bike to have a good feeling for when we go to Phillip Island in a month.”

The first of two January tests begins tomorrow at Jerez, and after already testing at the Spanish circuit last year, Bulega, who was very impressive on his Panigale V4 R debut, is hoping to build on the positives.

Bulega added: “I was very happy. My lap time was good, and my feeling was good. But I was only at 80%. I was very happy to be fast and to be at 80%.

“I think I have a very good package and team so I will try to bring out all my speed and talent. I have to improve a little bit everyweher because it’s a new bike for me.

“I’ve never tried a bike with so much horsepower, so I need to adapt my riding style to understand it better.

“When you ride this very fast bike, you have to understand braking points, how to accelerate and pick up, and you have to adapt to this bike.

“I think I have to improve everywhere and try to be fast.”