Misano World Circuit, Italy
From 3 to 5 July 2026 the Misano World Circuit "Marco Simoncelli" hosted the 13th edition of World Ducati Week, the triennial gathering that brings the entire Ducati community together in Misano. A special edition, coinciding with Ducati's 100th anniversary (celebrated on July 4, right in the heart of the event), and one that set an all-time record: 118,036 visitors from 94 countries, the largest turnout in WDW history.
Between track parades, meet & greet sessions with the factory riders, exhibitions, riding experiences and stunt shows, the weekend's highlight came on Sunday afternoon with the Lenovo Race of Champions: ten laps on track, twenty-two riders — MotoGP, WorldSBK and Ducati test riders together — all on the same bike, the Panigale V4 Tricolore, in the race that every WDW puts Ducati's factory colours head-to-head. And in front of his home crowd, the home hero took the win: Nicolò Bulega.
The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati rider led every single lap of the race, crossing the line 1.437 seconds ahead of Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) and 1.729 seconds ahead of Lorenzo Baldassarri. An all-WorldSBK podium, in a race that also included Marc Márquez, Pecco Bagnaia, Franco Morbidelli, Fabio Di Giannantonio and other MotoGP protagonists. Just off the podium Yari Montella, then Bagnaia as the leading MotoGP rider in fifth, ahead of Tommy Bridewell, Morbidelli and Di Giannantonio. Marc Márquez finished twelfth; Michele Pirro and Álvaro Bautista did not finish.
"It has been a fantastic weekend, ended with this victory on my Panigale V4, which is an incredible bike. Thank you to everyone", Bulega's verdict after the race.
A WDW that celebrated Ducati's century in the most fitting way: packed grandstands, a crowd that never went quiet, and one of Borgo Panigale's flagship riders taking home the event's signature trophy. For Nicolò, after his historic home treble at the WorldSBK Misano round in June on the same track, another winning appearance in Misano that closes his home chapter in the best possible way.
The Superbike World Championship resumes at the next round; for Nicolò the target remains one: keep marching towards his first WorldSBK title.
