‘Fast but a bit of a pub emptier’
The racing at Phillip Island was sensational and the end result was alright too. Every year I do a column before the season kicks off saying what I think is going to happen and then the racing starts and I end up looking like a prick! But I’m happy to look like a prick if the racing is that good.
Bulega made the first race look like a demonstration. Pole and then the fastest lap in both long races. He actually looked better than Bautista; Alvaro slides it about a bit, backs it in, but Bulega looked planted like he wasn’t even trying. Putting in a 1m 27s lap in qualifying that was good enough for a top ten in MotoGP is incredible. I know there was a new track surface but the front disc and pad budget for a MotoGP bike is probably more than the total bike budget in WSBK. Locatelli was right in there, Iannone was fast, stylish and raced well while Kawasaki have clearly found some handy speed in a straight line.
The only disappointing thing was Bulega’s shocking interview after he won the first race. He seems like a real ‘pub emptier’, no emotion whatsoever. I was more excited about him winning the race than he was. Iannone was a bit like that too, I think he was more interested in his reflection in the camera lens than he was about his podium interview.
It must be a worry for BMW to blow up an engine straight away, especially as things should be fresh at this point, with not much mileage on it. It wasn’t like it was in morning warm-up – it was heat of the battle with all the other manufacturers.
I’m so pleased for Alex, he’s got a new crew chief with Pere Riba so has plenty of experience. I’ve been in that position before when you are the fastest in the team and it’s a nice thing, whereas before he’s always been a step behind Johnny Rea. It will feel sweet to beat a few of the guys. I loved the way Sam congratulated Alex, he was the first one to stop.
Those boys train together, are there for each other, they motivate each other and they’ll want to get one over everyone else.
‘I think I was more excited than Bulega’