Iker Lecuona (Ducati) fought back tears: “It was different from usual”

Normally, 563 points would be enough to win the Superbike World Championship, but not this year. With the most wins in a single season and a record 726 points, there was simply no stopping Nicolò Bulega. Iker Lecuona can take comfort in the fact that he inflicted his Aruba.it Ducati team-mate’s only defeats: there was the victory in the first race at Donington Park, and a hat-trick at Cremona, where he also ended the Italian’s run of pole positions.

After finishing third in the first race, Lecuona made the most of his opportunities on race Sunday with two second-place finishes. The final race was dramatic, as the forecast rain set in shortly before the end, adding to the excitement.

“In the last five laps, it was drizzling – now here, now there. It kept changing,” the Spaniard told SPEEDWEEK.com. “For me, turns 4 and 7 were particularly tricky. On top of that, the tyres were wearing out in the final third of the race and the wind had changed direction. It was difficult to judge, and I was glad to finish the weekend this way.”

Lecuona had already been confirmed as runner-up in the world championship before the season finale. On the cool-down lap, he stopped to say goodbye to his mate Danilo Petrucci, who was riding his final Superbike race. Indeed, tears were visible in many eyes after the race, including Lecuona’s.

“When I crossed the finish line, I was overcome by emotions I’d never even felt after a win. Usually you’re already thinking about the next race, but this time it was different,” revealed the family man. “I’m so grateful to my team for giving me this opportunity, and also to my wife, my daughter and my family. I’m currently in the best phase of my life. As a person and as a rider, I really enjoyed that final lap. It’s a wonderful feeling.”

Iker Lecuona: Favourite for the 2027 Superbike World Championship?

With Bulega’s move to MotoGP, Lecuona, as runner-up in the world championship, is now the favourite for the 2027 Superbike World Championship. Is the 26-year-old already aware that, as the team’s number one, he’ll be under greater pressure to succeed?

“Why should anything change? The rules are changing for next year and I expect our potential to be severely limited. We’ll have to wait and see, because the brakes, tyres and fuel are changing too,” the Ducati rider explained. “It’s the same for everyone, and I’m not going to let that put me under any more pressure. Of course, I’d like to win more races than I did this year, but consistency is the top priority – we’ll see what our level will be. After all, there are new riders coming in, and others are switching manufacturers.”

Lecuona has already shown consistency this year, with four wins, 27 second places and one third place from 36 races!