After Cal Crutchlow, another former MotoGP rider makes his grand return to Balaton Park! Indeed, Iker Lecuona will be present at the Hungarian Grand Prix, replacing Alex Marquez at Ducati Gresini.At Mugello, the 2025 MotoGP runner-up was replaced by Michele Pirro, but Ducati has decided to give one of its Superbike riders a chance since he has nothing else to do this weekend. Like Crutchlow, he hasn't raced in MotoGP since 2023! Here's how he's approaching this race.
You have to go back to the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix to see Iker Lecuona at the start of a race (which he abandoned). At the time, he was replacing Alex Rins at Honda LCRSince then, he has signed with Ducati in Superbike, and is currently second in the world championship behind Nicolo Bulega. There's no doubt the learning curve will be steep, as the bikes have changed a lot since then, but he says he's ready to take on the challenge.
Iker Lecuona, who was, if memory serves, the first man born after 2000 to be a full-time MotoGP rider, is on fire. « I am delighted with this opportunityIt's an unexpected opportunity. I was told about it on Monday during the Aragon tests. Obviously, I'm happy and I thank Ducati for offering it to me, as well as Gresini, who agreed to let me ride their motorcycle.I also thank the Aruba Ducati team, Stefano and Serafino, for accepting, as we are in the middle of the Superbike season. he declared for GP One.
However, he refuses to put pressure on himself. He absolutely mustn't get injured. « I am really delighted with this opportunityI want to enjoy myself and not put any pressure on myself; I know Ducati won't do that. I just want to ride and finish the race. Balaton Park is a circuit I like, I'm fast there, and we'll see how it goes, but the most important thing is to have fun. » he concluded.
Where do you see him in the rankings? Tell us in the comments!
Photo: Michelin Motorsport
Cover photo: Instagram Iker Lecuona
