Iker Lecuona confirms that changing direction after a MotoGP season at Tech3 with a KTM does not seem to bring luck. The Spaniard thus preceded the trajectory of his former teammate Danilo Petrucci towards the infirmary. It will be recalled that the Italian, on the eve of his departure for the grueling Dakar event, has a bad ankle. For the Spaniard his first experience with the Honda in WSBK was marked by a heavy fall affecting a little finger. An accident that ultimately landed him in the operating room…
The surgery had not been announced for Iker Lecuona, but it nevertheless took place. After two years with Tech3-KTM in MotoGP, the rider of 21 year joins the Honda Racing Corporation team in the paddock of the World Superbike Championship for the 2022 season. During the three days of Jerez test which ran from December 15 to 17, the Spaniard was supposed to get to know his new work tool, the CBR1000RR-R, but he fell on the second day and broke the little finger of his left hand.
« I was very happy with the first contact with the bike and the team, but there is still a lot to learn" , said lecuona after the premature end of the tests. “Ihad to finish the first test with the CBR1000RR-R after a fall at turn 12 which broke my little finger."
Iker Lecuona gave his suit as a gift
Instead of tying your finger, lecuona opted for an operation and went to the IMED hospital in Valencia this week. This clinic is regularly visited by drivers from different series. The 21-year-old gave his surgeon Dr. Eduardo Alepuz a Honda leather suit as a souvenir.
After 26 falls in MotoGP 2021, it is very likely that lecuona and his doctor will see each other again soon..." Many thanks to IMED Valencia, especially to Dr. Eduardo Alepuz and his team for the excellent treatment again and again ", declared on speedweek lecuona upon his departure. The teammate of Xavi Verge now has enough time to recover. The next winter test of Honda is not expected to take place before February. The 2022 Superbike World Championship begins in early April at MotorLand Aragón.
Incidentally, Honda seems to be ready to carry out a total revolution in its World Superbike project with a view to 2022. The official structure of the HRC has not only completely renovated its pair of drivers by giving entry to Iker Lecuona et Xavi Verge : the world's leading brand also seems to have the firm intention of changing suspension and brake suppliers.
For the first elements, we saw in Jerez equipment provided by Showa, which also sent one of its suspension technicians to work closely with Honda and understand the performance differences compared to the Swedish brand's suspensions Öhlins privileged until then. If this brand equips the majority of the WSBK field, we must not forget that the Kawasaki Racing Team, winner of all the titles contested between 2015 and 2020 with Jonathan Rhea, has always trusted Showa.
In addition to the suspension, Honda also seems ready to make another notable change to its Fireblade when it comes to braking. After two years with Brembo, the official HRC team also made comparisons in Jerez with another supplier, Nissin, a brand in which Honda holds a 34% stake and which equips many of its models around the world.
