Iker Lecuona is not the best rider in WorldSBK nor the most complete rider on the grid in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. The Aruba.it Ducati rider however is the most intriguing rider in WorldSBK heading into the 2026 season. Entering his fifth campaign, the Spaniard has switched from the official Honda squad to the official Ducati team. Armed with the best bike on the grid he has the chance to finally prove his mettle on the world stage. Injuries have been a big issue for Lecuona and while he has been unlucky at times he has also missed the best part of a full season through injury since he made his debut in 2022.

THE BIG MOVE: Switching shades of red from Honda to Ducati

The Honda Fireblade and the Honda HRC Team have had plenty of questions hanging over them in recent years but so has Lecuona. A pole position and two podiums didn’t offer enough return for the 26-year-old to make a case for himself being a leading rider in the Championship. A strong season aboard the Ducati, especially when being paired up with title favourite Nicolo Bulega, would allow Lecuona to prove himself and his potential.

HOPING TO REALISE HIS POTENTIAL: Spotted early in Moto2…

Potential has always been the watch word when Lecuona has been discussed. Jumping into the Moto2 World Championship as a fresh faced 16-year-old allowed him to show speed. It also gave him a margin for error for mistakes as he grew in experience. Three full seasons in the class gave him World Championship tenure and his jump to the MotoGP series arguably came early but was impossible to turn down. Two full seasons saw his speed come to the fore but his time in the class came to an end and he left for WorldSBK in 2022.

TIME TO PROVE HIMSELF: Can Lecuona be a force with the Panigale V4 R?

Pairing up with Xavi Vierge for four years has limited the chance for comparison because neither is a known quantity in WorldSBK. Now, Lecuona gets the chance to be compared to Bulega and he’ll have no hiding place. He needs to prove himself. He needs to win races. He needs to find a way to show Ducati that if Bulega leaves for MotoGP in 2027, he can lead their title challenge.

NO ROOM TO HIDE: Hoping to challenge Bulega

It’s for these reasons that Lecuona is the most intriguing rider on the grid this year. Racing for the official Ducati squad leaves very little unanswered for a rider. Lecuona’s role this year is to back-up Bulega’s title charge. It’s expected that Bulega will take up the mantle of being the man to beat this year. If Lecuona can challenge him that can only be a good thing for his future career prospects. If he can’t... Ducati will look elsewhere to lead the factory.

SPEED AND POTENTIAL: Keywords that need to become reality

Riders either bloom or shrink in this environment. Bulega has seen off the challenge of two-time WorldSBK champion Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team). He earned the right to lead the team, and he’s earned the chance to be a MotoGP test rider. Ducati trust him because the results showed that he had speed and potential. Speed and potential have been the keywords of Lecuona’s career. Now he needs to come good and deliver on his promise.

THE FUTURE IS NOW: Can Lecuona challenge in 2026? Find out using the WorldSBK VideoPass!