In MotoGP, as perhaps more than elsewhere, the misfortune of some makes the happiness of others. In the case of Iker Lecuona, it even became a career plan. Johann Zarco left prematurely, a place became available at KTM for the RC16. Expected on the official version, he will finally go to Red Bull KTM Tech3, taking the position for which Brad Binder had signed, before being called up alongside Pol Espargaró. Not bad, but it's not over...
It's not over because Miguel Oliveira has already finished his season recovering from an operation on his bruised shoulder since the fall caused by...the one who was then a KTM official, Johann zarco. Certainly, among Austrians, we like to wash our dirty laundry as a family! From November 15, the last Grand Prix of this season will take place in Valencia. And there is no question of leaving the teammate position vacant. Syahrin.
Fact, Iker Lecuona will make his MotoGP debut at the Valencia Grand Prix on the French team's satellite RC16. This is called coping with your new responsibilities! The first contact with the elite that the Basque will make with the pinnacle of motorcycle sport will take place in an FP1 Grand Prix. You will therefore have to learn quickly and look carefully around you…
It will be recalled that, Iker Lecuona, won podiums in Moto2 in 2018 and this year, in Thailand. He is 19 years old and started in the World Championship in 2016 directly in Moto2. So he was 16 years old at the time. He came from the Repsol FIM CEV Repsol Moto2 International Championship discovered in 2015.
In his Moto2 team, American Racing KTM, he will be replaced by the young American Sean Dylan Kelly who will find on the grid the compatriot who is Joe Roberts. Sean Dylan Kelly made his MotoAmerica debut in 2019 in the Supersport class, riding a Suzuki M4 ECSTAR. Aged 17, he participated in the Red Bull Rookies Cup and has since this year been the youngest pole position holder at the Daytona 200 (at 16 years and 304 days).
Press release :
Iker Lecuona will make his premier class debut at the final round of the 2019 MotoGP World Championship at the Valencian Community Circuit, replacing Miguel Oliveira on the Red Bull KTM Tech3. The Portuguese talent is forced to miss the 19th Grand Prix of the season after successful surgery on his right shoulder ligaments last weekend. He is already on his way to recovery to be fully fit for the 2020 campaign.
Just two weeks ago, Red Bull KTM Tech3 and KTM announced that Lecuona would join Oliveira on the French team for 2020.
Thanks to the open-mindedness of Eitan Butbul, owner of the American Racing team in the Moto2 category, the 19-year-old rider will have the opportunity to try the KTM RC16 for the first time before the end of the 2019 season on his home circuit. After three full years in the Moto2 World Championship, where Lecuona secured two podiums, the talented Spaniard is now eager to move up to the MotoGP category.
