On February 10, the Honda HRC team digitally presented its 2025 project and the CBR1000R-R with which it will compete in the Superbike World Championship World SBK 2025
Over the winter, Japanese engineers have been working on a series of updates to the CBR1000RR-R in all areas of setup, electronics and suspension that the factory team has already had the opportunity to test in productive sessions at the Jerez circuit in Spain and the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal.
The main objective, as always, is to build on the progress made during the 2024 season and continue to seek to achieve the best possible results on track with the same two drivers, Xavi Verge et Iker Lecuona, respectively 11th and 12th last year.
The digital launch saw them outline their respective goals ahead of a fourth consecutive season with the team. Jose Escámez, the Honda HRC team manager, spoke about the challenges, expectations and strategy involved in participating in the production-derived series.
The Honda HRC team will take to the track on February 17-18 for a final pre-season test at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia, before preparing for the opening round of the Superbike World Championship, which will kick off at the same Australian circuit from February 21-23.
Questions / answers from Xavi Vierge.
This is your fourth season with the Honda HRC team. What have you learned over the last three years and what is your goal for 2025?
“We learned a lot, but I think the most important thing was understanding that it is better to work methodically and take solid steps, rather than wanting to go too fast and lose the path. The first goal is to start the 2025 season at least at the same level as we finished last season. We found a solid base and we were fighting close to the front towards the end of the year. So the goal is to have a solid pre-season and be able to start the championship already close to the fastest guys, and then go from there to take the final step.”
There are some changes on your side of the garage, including a new crew chief…
“Yes, my team is a little different this season and although we haven’t worked together for long, my first impressions are positive. My new team leader has a lot of experience and I will try to learn from him and make the most of this experience. Hopefully this will allow us to make good progress.”
Honda is very committed to the project, with increased collaboration between Japan and the European base. Does this strengthen your motivation?
“That’s for sure. In difficult times, seeing that Honda is pushing and doing everything to support us gives us confidence. After all, we all have the same goal, which is to win as soon as possible. So everyone is on the same page and that motivates us.”
2024 has been a season of progress, with consistent results in the second half of the year. What area of bike development will be key to a strong start in 2025?
“Yes, the last part of 2024 has been positive. For this year we are switching to Öhlins suspension, so we need to get familiar with that and find a new basis. Then we need to exploit our strengths and focus on the areas of handling and acceleration, which we consider our weak points. If we can improve in these areas, we will be able to better exploit the potential of the engine, which we know is high.”
You and Iker have very different riding styles. Can this be beneficial?
Absolutely. We have different styles, that’s true, but the basic setup of our bikes is not that different. It’s helpful in that he’s better at some things and I’m better at others. So we can learn from each other and push each other.
You've already had podiums in SBK, but what would a race victory mean to you?
“It would be a dream come true, especially considering all the work we’ve done over the last three seasons. I think we deserve much more than what we’ve had. So a win would go a long way to rewarding all our hard work and giving us extra motivation to keep going. We’re doing everything we can to achieve that.”
Questions / answers from Iker Lecuona.
Iker, the first round in Australia is only a few weeks away. You have been unlucky with injuries, do you think you are ready physically?
“I was unlucky last year with an injury in Jerez and then I had another small injury at the start of this year, so a long period with injuries. I think I can be 100 per cent ready for Australia, or at least 95 per cent – I’ll be ready to fight, that’s for sure!”
Beyond fitness, what are your expectations for the first round, knowing that the Phillip Island circuit has unique and quiet characteristics. How will you manage the first races after the long winter break?
“I learned last year that it might not be wise to go in with any particular expectations. Right now the plan is to get on the bike, do the testing immediately before the Australian race weekend and then take it session by session over the weekend itself. I love Phillip Island but I haven’t had much luck there in the past. The aim is to come in with a good base and in good shape, mentally and physically, and be ready for anything.”
You now have a year of experience with your team leader, Tom Jojic. How important is it to start the season on the right foot?
“Mentally it’s very important for me to start strong. Last year I struggled mentally, and physically too of course, but if you’re mentally strong I think you can be physically strong even with injuries. On the other hand, if your mental strength decreases it’s difficult. So it’s extremely important for me to start on the right foot this year.”
One of your qualities as a rider is your ability to quickly reach the limits. You talked about working on yourself to exploit this characteristic, both in terms of riding style and on a human level…
“People tell me that I reach my limits quickly on the track. I don’t need to do 100 laps during a test, I can just jump on the bike and after four or five laps I can understand what is good or bad on the bike, or on a specific corner of the track… So it’s a quality that I have, but it can also be a bad thing because once I reach the limit it’s difficult to improve. And it can be difficult mentally, because you may only improve by a tenth after half a day of work, and that’s not always easy to accept. Last year I learned a lot about my style and my performances, and I try to see that as a quality that can help me improve and develop the bike. I learned to be calmer mentally.”
In 2024, you climbed onto the SBK podium for the second time and you were often close to the top 5 in the second half of the season. What did you work on with your team to be regularly present from the first rounds of 2025?
“The beginning of last year was tough, I had a new bike, a new team leader, I was also injured… Then from the summer onwards we tried to reset, putting the start of the season behind us and applying the old basics to the new bike, and things started to work. My team leader and I worked hard together, so he could understand my style better and I could communicate my needs better, and we improved a lot as a result. From the summer to the end of the year we made some important steps that helped us both mentally and physically, in the sense that I felt stronger on the bike and more able to push. The results started to come, and the podium was incredible! Going from P13 to P3 was crazy, a great result, so the goal is to continue in the same way this year.”
Finally, on a personal level, you recently announced your engagement to your girlfriend, Gema…
“Yes, I had been thinking about it for months. She is from Valencia, like me, and that’s where we met. When we started dating, I quickly started to feel something that I hadn’t experienced in my previous relationships. After a few years, I asked her to come to Andorra with me and we have been living together for almost two years now. She is very supportive and tries to help me every day. She loves Andorra, sport, animals and me! I was very nervous about asking her – even more nervous than the first time I rode a MotoGP – but I am very happy that she said yes!”
Honda HRC 2025
Honda HRC 2025
Honda HRC 2025
Honda HRC 2025
