Iker Lecuona was far from being a laughingstock in Hungary! Replacing the injured Alex Marquez, the current second-place finisher in the Superbike standings climbed to 7th place at the end of the Grand Prix. Of course, the monstrous crash at the start must be taken into account, but it's still a remarkable performance for a wildcard entry. MotoGP remains the pinnacle, and, of course, he can't help but think about it, especially since he's already had a taste of it. He reiterated his ambition in a recent interview, but without fully admitting his desire.
As a reminder, Iker Lecuona has already had considerable MotoGP experience: he was a full-time rider for KTM Tech3 in 2020 and 2021, then became a reserve rider for Honda in 2023. He filled in for the two Repsol factory riders, Marc Marquez and Joan Mir. MotoGP is definitely on his mind. "Nothing is impossible! After a few tries, I always succeeded." So, even as a child, I banished the word "impossible" from my vocabulary. » he declared to the microphones of speedweek.
Given the upcoming driver market (which hasn't yet exploded), aiming for a seat in 2027 would be completely unrealistic. If a WSBK championship rider is to be chosen, It will probably be his teammate Nicolo BulegaThat's why he puts things into perspective. « I'm not currently focused on MotoGP and I'm very happy in Superbike. I'm relaxed and I have a great team with an excellent bike.Thinking about MotoGP now would be a mistake. But I don't mean to say I don't want to go, nor that I want to stay here my whole career. If an opportunity arises, I'll weigh the pros and cons. Then, I'll decide with my manager, with whom I have an excellent relationship, whether I return to MotoGP or stay here. For the moment, I'm not thinking about it, but you should never say never » he added.
The Spaniard, only 26 years old, was the first rider born in the 21st century to be given a full-time MotoGP seat. He is holding on admirably thanks to his unwavering mentality, as he himself points out. "I would never say it's impossible! I learned that from a very young age." he concluded.
Do you think you'll ever see Iker Lecuona at the start of a MotoGP race again? Tell us in the comments!
Photo: Michelin Motorsport
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
