Iker Lecuona has credited his impressive pace in MotoGP to his strong feel for Michelin’s front tyre, a factor that could serve him well when WorldSBK switches to the French manufacturer in 2027.
Standing in for the injured Fermin Aldeguer at Gresini Ducati, Lecuona qualified tenth at Silverstone and again showed flashes of speed, despite crashing out of both the Sprint and the main race. “I like the Michelin a lot!” Lecuona admitted. “I don’t know if it’s the Ducati or myself, but I have really, really good feedback with the front tyre. Even if sometimes I lose or I lock the front a little bit, I can save it, so I know the limit well.”
Lecuona’s confidence on Michelin rubber dates back to his full-time MotoGP stint, and he believes it could be a valuable asset as WorldSBK prepares for Michelin to replace Pirelli as the sole tyre supplier in 2027. “I still cannot talk [about that], but I like the Michelin a lot!” he smiled.
While his Silverstone weekend ended in crashes, Lecuona remains the only rider to have beaten his team-mate Nicolo Bulega in this year’s WorldSBK championship, suggesting he’ll be one to watch when the new tyre era arrives.
Meanwhile, Fermin Aldeguer is expected to return from injury at the next round in Aragon.
