Aragon WorldSBK: Iker Lecuona open to MotoGP switch but says “target is to continue with Honda”

Whether it’s in WorldSBK or MotoGP, Iker Lecuona wants to remain with Honda for the 2024 season.
Iker Lecuona, Xavi Vierge Team HRC Catalunya WorldSBK 2023
Iker Lecuona, Xavi Vierge Team HRC Catalunya WorldSBK 2023

Despite a very difficult second season in WorldSBK where improvements to take Honda closer to the front of the field have not been made, Lecuona is fully confident in the capabiliti𓆉es of the Japanese manufacturer.

A stand-in for Alex Rins in MotoGP several times already in 2023, Lecuona has been extremely busy as he remained tight-lipped on his future heading into his home 𓄧round at Aragon.

The only way for Lecuona to move to MotoGP is if eight-time w♏orld champion Marc Marquez leaves for Ducati, which would then mean a promotion for Johann Zarco to R🦹epsol and Lecuona to LCR.

But🎀🐈 if that doesn’t materialise then Lecuona will likely stay with Team HRC in the Superbike championship.

Speaking about his future, Lecuona said: "It’s difficulཧt to say; I hope that I can say something in a few weeks but like always, I am happy here, the target is to continue here but still, nothi🤡ng is signed. 

"You know the situation right now is difficult with many 𝕴rumours. The target is to stay with Honda; then, the place or the spot, we’ll see. 

"The podium is not realistic right now; the optimistic target is to finish in the top ten. My teꦯammate or me are close but this year hasn’t been easy. We’ll see race by race."

On the other side of the garage is Xavi Vierge, who like Lecuona does not know where he will be 🍸riding in 2024.

The Spaniard also wants to stay with Honda but could find himsel🍌f replaced by Michael Rinaldi.

"Magny-Cours was hard, but it was harder after the crash on Fridayဣ," began Vierge. "We come to Aragon, a home round is always special and we have been testing here﷽. 

"The feeling w꧋as go𓆏od, and we expect to be more competitive at this kind of track. Right now, we are too far away from the podium. 

"This kind of track is better for us. We are more compet𝐆itive. A podium will be really difficult, but our goal needs to be fighting for that. 

"There’s no news on my future. We still need to wait🦂 a little bit longer; every time, it’s getting closer."

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