Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Bulega Banks First MotoGP Point at Portimao After Sprint Crash

The Ducati stand-in says adapting his braking on Michelin tires is the key hurdle.

Overview

  • Nicolo Bulega recovered from a Saturday Sprint fall to finish 15th in Sunday’s grand prix and score his first MotoGP point.
  • The debutant set his best lap on lap 23 of 25, clocking 1:39.391 with only five riders quicker on that lap, and closed back to a group fighting for 11th after an earlier mistake.
  • He crashed out of the Sprint on lap 4 while chasing Franco Morbidelli, losing the front under braking for his first MotoGP fall.
  • Bulega attributed the Sprint error to using a ‘Superbike style’ on Michelin tires, noting he must brake later and more smoothly, and said it was his first run on the hard front.
  • Francesco Bagnaia placed eighth in the Sprint with traction issues before crashing from fourth in the grand prix, as Bulega prepares to substitute again at Valencia.