Iker Lecuona thought he had found a clear path in Superbike. But Ducati has apparently been careful not to completely close the door on MotoGP. While the Spaniard is preparing to rejoin Gresini's Desmosedici at the Qatar Grand Prix, a clause in his contract with Aruba could allow him to return permanently to the premier class in 2028. This prospect adds a new dimension to his replacements this season.
Lecuona: Four Grand Prix to convince Ducati
Iker Lecuona 's 2026 season is definitely not just a simple transition to WorldSBK. The Spaniard has already competed in four Grands Prix with Gresini: at Balaton Park, Silverstone, Phillip Island and Sepang.
Called up to replace Fermin Aldeguer , who was injured in the hand in Indonesia, he is expected to continue this mission in Qatar . And the circumstances are particularly unusual.
Alex Marquez has just undergone surgery in Madrid and will also miss the Losail race. Gresini could therefore field only one rider, Lecuona , in a Grand Prix whose grid is already dangerously small.
For number 7, this latest appearance represents another opportunity to rack up mileage on the Ducati MotoGP. And perhaps to prepare for something else.
A clause that changes everything for 2028?
Lecuona has signed a two-year contract with Aruba Ducati, which ties him to the Italian manufacturer's Superbike program until the end of the 2028 season. But this commitment reportedly includes an important provision.
If a Ducati team were to offer him a MotoGP ride for 2028, he could be allowed to leave Aruba before the end of his contract. This clause, the precise details of which have not been made public except by GPOne , would represent a real opportunity.
This obviously doesn't guarantee an offer or a return. But it suggests that Ducati and the rider have considered the possibility of a promotion to the premier class. And that changes the interpretation of his commitment to Superbike. Rather than a final destination, WorldSBK could also become a stepping stone.
Could Ducati repeat the Bulega scenario?
The comparison with Nicolò Bulega comes naturally. The Italian demonstrated in Superbike that a rider could build a reputation solid enough to attract the attention of the MotoGP paddock again.
His career path has become a benchmark for riders integrated into the Ducati ecosystem . Lecuona, however, possesses a different advantage: he already knows MotoGP. Having ridden for KTM and then Honda , the Spaniard competed for several seasons in the premier class before continuing his career in Superbike.
His appearances with Gresini have allowed him to reconnect with the demands of modern prototypes. However, a potential promotion would depend on several factors: his results in WorldSBK, the available seats, and Ducati 's sporting decisions.
Qatar, an opportunity for Lecuona in an exceptional context
The Qatar Grand Prix could offer Lecuona a unique opportunity for exposure. With Yamaha and Pramac 's withdrawal confirmed , Alex Marquez and Aldeguer sidelined due to medical reasons , and uncertainties surrounding several other riders, the Losail grid is likely to be significantly reduced.
In this context, each remaining participant will take on added importance. However, it would be excessive to interpret this replacement as an official audition for 2028. No Ducati team has announced any intention of recruiting Lecuona for MotoGP by that date.
For now, his mission remains to replace Aldeguer and continue learning the Desmosedici. Lecuona 's immediate objective remains WorldSBK. His contract with Aruba Ducati offers him a top-tier program and the opportunity to aim for the world title. A convincing season could then strengthen his candidacy for a possible return to MotoGP. And it is precisely there that the aforementioned clause takes on its full meaning.
So, what do we remember?
- Lecuona: expected in Qatar for his fifth MotoGP appearance this season.
- Contract: a clause would allow him to join a Ducati team in MotoGP as early as 2028.
- Future: WorldSBK remains the priority, but a return to the premier category is still possible.
Ducati may not have recruited Lecuona solely to win in Superbike. The manufacturer may also have retained the option of bringing him back to MotoGP. And if the Spaniard converts his opportunities at Gresini into convincing performances, 2028 could well become more than just a date written on his contract.
