Lecuona (Ducati) on 2027: “We’ll be able to announce something soon”

Following his first World Championship victory on Saturday at Donington, a huge weight was lifted from Ducati factory rider Iker Lecuona. The Spaniard was delighted to have also beaten his team-mate Nicolo Bulega for the first time.

On Sunday, he was aiming to stand at the very top of the podium once again, but the day did not go as hoped. In the Superpole Race, Lecuona got off to another excellent start. Starting from second on the grid, he surged forward and immediately opened up a small gap over Bulega. But then he crashed on the second lap. He got his Panigale back on its wheels and continued at the back of the field. However, shortly before the end, he headed for the pits and retired.

“I’m not happy about the crash, but I felt really good on the bike. Sometimes, when you have a lot of confidence on the bike and you’re riding relaxed, you make small mistakes. I was perhaps two km/h faster going into the corner and then the front wheel slipped out from under me,” the World Championship runner-up explained his crash. “Normally, I’m the strongest here in the final sector. It was my mistake and I need to learn from it. But I’m glad I crashed in the sprint race and not in the main race. I need to learn from this, but when I rode back to the pits, I told my team that I knew why I’d crashed. That makes it easier to solve the problem.”

It was doubly bitter that, due to his crash in the Superpole race, Lecuona had to start the second main race on Sunday afternoon from 10th on the grid. He made the best of the situation and fought his way forward lap after lap during the race. On lap 16, he overtook Yari Montella (Barni Ducati) to move into second place. But that was as far as he got. Bulega took the win, crossing the finish line 4.161 seconds ahead of Lecuona.

“Even so, it was almost a perfect weekend for me – my best so far,” said the 26-year-old happily. How much fun did he have making up ground from 10th place? “It was fun because some of the overtaking manoeuvres were really good – like with Montella or Sam Lowes. To be honest, I was very relaxed on the starting grid. I wasn’t under any pressure because I could only win. Starting from 10th, you first have to get through the first corner, then you can start making up places. I thought to myself that if I finished second, it would be perfect. I was able to enjoy it; when I caught up with Montella, I tried to stay focused. It was good.”

Since Lecuona moved from Honda to the Ducati factory team this year, everything in the Spaniard’s life has taken a turn for the better. “My life has completely changed since I’ve been part of this family,” he confirmed. “I haven’t had any crashes or injuries. And if I do fall, they’re minor and not dangerous, because I don’t have to ride beyond my limits. I’m fast, I’m learning and I’m enjoying riding the bike. When I’m at home, I want to train and work hard. In the past, I sometimes didn’t have the energy for it. Now it’s different. Ahead of this race weekend, I spent a month and a half testing or racing every week. And when I get home, I carry on working because I have that extra motivation. I’m happy and very grateful to the Ducati family.”

Lecuona has only signed a one-year contract with Aruba.it-Ducati. So far, he has not yet extended his contract for 2027. However, no one doubts any longer that their journey together will continue beyond 2026. “I’m close. We’ll be able to announce something soon. The aim is to carry on together,” Lecuona assured.

The Superbike World Championship is now heading into the summer break. The new father knows what he’ll be doing during this time. “Because of my daughter, I need to spend more time at home now. Perhaps we’ll go to Valencia at the end of August to visit the family.”