LECUONA READY TO REPLACE ALDEGUER AT PHILLIP ISLAND AS RIDER’S START REMAINS IN DOUBT

Iker Lecuona is open to another MotoGP appearance, but says he is content with his current life in the Superbike paddock. The Ducati rider could be called up to replace Fermin Aldeguer at Gresini for the Australian Grand Prix, although Aldeguer’s availability remains uncertain after he broke his right hand in Indonesia. He underwent surgery in Barcelona, with the Phillip Island round scheduled for October 23–25.

Aldeguer crashed three times during the Indonesian weekend. His final fall, in Sunday’s race, was relatively harmless, but he broke the base of the first metacarpal in his right hand when he angrily slapped the track surface afterwards. He was seen at the Superbike round in Jerez with his hand in a cast and his arm in a sling, casting further doubt on whether he can race in Australia.

Lecuona has already stood in for the injured Aldeguer twice this season, in Hungary and Britain. His Hungarian weekend included a strong seventh place in the Grand Prix after finishing 18th in the sprint. In Britain, he failed to finish either race. He is currently focused on the closing rounds of the Superbike World Championship at Jerez, but said he would welcome another MotoGP call-up.

“I’ve seen the team a couple of times and really enjoyed my time with them,” Lecuona said. “Maybe Australia would be a good opportunity to ride a MotoGP bike. I couldn’t do that back then because of the Covid restrictions. I’d have to learn another new track on this bike, but if they called me, I’d really appreciate it.”

Aldeguer visited Jerez and met his future teammate Nicolo Bulega, with whom he is due to race in Valentino Rossi’s VR46 Ducati MotoGP team in 2027 and 2028. Bulega described the 21-year-old as “a great guy” who is “very fast”, adding that he hoped to learn from him and build a good relationship. He also said Aldeguer had some, if limited, MotoGP experience.

Bulega understood Aldeguer’s frustration after the crash. A rider can be full of adrenaline and see the work of the team undone by one mistake, he said, with around 50 people travelling around the world only to come away empty-handed. “It’s not easy to stay calm when you’re riding at 300 km/h, come back to the garage and feel you haven’t made your guys happy,” Bulega said, noting that he too had reacted badly in similar situations. He is not available as a replacement, as he will be in Texas for Formula 1 and a Ducati parade that weekend.

Lecuona’s comments come as Toprak Razgatlioglu and Bulega demonstrate that strong Superbike performances can lead to MotoGP opportunities. A small number of seats are expected to be available for 2028, while most riders will need to renegotiate for 2029. Asked whether he might pursue a return if he produces standout seasons over the next two years, Lecuona stressed that he is not looking beyond the present.

“Honestly, I’m happy here and I enjoy it a lot. I know what the MotoGP paddock means,” he said. “The Superbike paddock is more like a family and friendlier; there are fewer races and you spend more time at home. That means I can spend more time with my wife and daughter, who is growing every day. It’s lovely to be able to experience that.”

Lecuona said he would let the future unfold. If he performs exceptionally, as Bulega has this year, Ducati might give him another chance in MotoGP. But he would also be happy to remain with the manufacturer in Superbikes for the long term: “If they want to keep me there for a long time, we can take that path together.”