Get ready for an epic Sunday showdown! The 2025 season finale is upon us, and it's all to play for as Nicolo Bulega's dominant Race 1 victory sets up a thrilling title decider.
The Battle for Supremacy
In a thrilling display of skill and strategy, Bulega dominated Race 1 at the Circuito de Jerez - Angel Nieto, leaving Championship leader Toprak Razgatlioglu in his wake. With a near four-second lead, 'Bulegas' secured his 18th WorldSBK win, while 'El Turco' settled for second. But here's where it gets controversial: despite Razgatlioglu's consistent podium finishes, including his 25th consecutive podium, equalling Colin Edwards' record, the title fight isn't over yet.
Taking Control from the Start
Razgatlioglu initially took the lead at Turn 1, but Bulega responded with precision, claiming the lead in the opening sector. Razgatlioglu fought back, passing Andrea Iannone at Turn 6, but by then, Bulega had already established a two-second advantage. In the early stages, Bulega was in a league of his own, consistently lapping in the 1'38s, while Razgatlioglu struggled to match his pace, remaining in the 1'39s. This allowed Bulega to cruise to victory, ensuring the title battle would go down to the wire.
The Podium Fight: A Fierce Battle
As the race progressed, the battle for third heated up. Iannone led the charge initially, but Alex Lowes and Xavi Vierge were hot on his tail. Alvaro Bautista, starting further back, fought his way through the field. The trio exchanged positions, with Bautista taking a different line at Turn 13 on Lap 11 to pass Vierge and Lowes. However, a mistake at Turn 2 dropped him back, allowing Iannone to reclaim third. Bautista wasn't done yet, though, and he made a bold move at Turn 6 on Lap 15, passing Iannone to secure third once more. This set a new record for Bautista, with six consecutive third-place finishes.
The Top Six and Beyond
Andrea Locatelli battled Bautista early on but eventually settled for seventh, with a comfortable margin between him and the top six. Remy Gardner finished eighth, fending off Tarran Mackenzie. Michael van der Mark rounded out the top ten, with Axel Bassani just half a second behind him in 11th. Iker Lecuona, Yari Montella, Garrett Gerloff, and Ryan Vickers completed the points-paying positions.
Wildcards and Retirements
Bahattin Sofuoglu finished 16th, just three seconds off the final point, while wildcard Lukas Tulovic came in 17th. Tito Rabat, Nicholas Spinelli, and Michael Rinaldi completed the top 20. Unfortunately, Jonathan Rea and Alessandro Delbianco retired from the race after crashes at Turn 4 and Turn 5, respectively.
The Title Fight Continues
With the top six positions locked in, the focus now shifts to Sunday's races. Razgatlioglu needs just three points to secure the title, but Bulega's performance has shown he's a force to be reckoned with. Who will claim the championship? Will Razgatlioglu's consistency pay off, or will Bulega's dominance in Race 1 be a sign of things to come? The stage is set for an exciting conclusion to the 2025 season. Don't miss it! Catch all the action from 09:15 Local Time (UTC+2) with the WorldSBK VideoPass, now available for only €9.99!
And this is the part most people miss: it's not just about the winners. The battles for position, the strategies, and the unexpected twists make this sport so captivating. So, who do you think will take the title? Share your predictions and thoughts in the comments below!
