WSBK Superbike Australia J2 Race-1: Nicolo Bulega causes a sensation for his debut in the category.

Nicholas Bulega took a historic victory at Phillip Island, while Andrea Iannone claimed a podium on her comeback.

Nicholas Bulega () started his season in the best possible way by claiming victory in Race 1 in Australia, becoming the first rider to win on his WorldSBK debut since his teammate Álvaro Bautista in 2019.

The podium is completed by Andrea Locatelli et Andrea Iannone, the latter marking his return to competition by leading part of the race, his appearance on the podium was the first since the 2018 MotoGP Australian GP.

Note that this is the first time since the Portimao meeting in 2021 that none of the members of the “Titanic Trio” appear in the top-3.

Several groups of drivers were fighting for the top positions, including Alvaro Bautista who climbed from ninth place into the top three, before a crash at turn 10 during the fourth lap knocked him out of victory. The n°1 finally finished 15th.

The lead group swapped positions until the pit stop ballet began between laps 9 and 11, before Bulega held onto the lead until the checkered flag.

alex lowes finished the race fourth, Razgatlioglu landing fifth place.

It was actually the 2021 champion who crossed the line first, but he was given a 1,225-second penalty for a pit time violation which demoted him to fifth, finishing however first BMW driver.

Michael van der Mark finished the race seventh, ahead Danilo Petrucci et Garrett Gerloff, Xavi Verge completing the top-10 thanks to a penalty of Scott Redding.

 Philipp Oettl finished 16th, ahead of Jonathan Rhea who struggled throughout the weekend, finishing 38 seconds from victory. Note the fall of Bradley Ray, 21st and last classified driver in this event.

Nicholas Bulega, first in race 1 at Phillip Island: “ It was perhaps the happiest day of my life. It's still hard to believe, it's incredible. I've been dreaming of it for several months and now it's a reality. I took pole position, won my first race and set a lap record. Something special that I will never forget. I started to cry a little. It was great emotions, I saw my guys with big smiles at the finish line. It was nice for me. My team is like a second family, they have always believed in me. When I arrived from Moto2, I was in a bad moment and they believed in me. We are in our third year together and we have started very well, I thank them and I hope to give them many more smiles »

The Standings for WSBK Superbike Race 1 in Australia:

Credit rankings: Worldsbk.com