Ducati World Superbike rider Iker Lecuona revealed that he didn’t make any extreme modifications to his bike during the Jerez test, emphasizing that the Panigale V4 can still achieve high speeds without needing to be pushed to its limits. After spending four years with Honda, the former KTM MotoGP competitor will be racing with Ducati’s factory team this season.
Lecuona finished sixth in the rain-affected test at Jerez, where he was among several riders, including his teammate Nicolo Bulega, who experienced a crash at Turn 5. Reflecting on the session, he mentioned that minor adjustments to the bike’s electronics and overall setup helped boost his confidence.
He clarified that his crash was due to unfortunate conditions, with parts of the track still wet throughout the day. “I hit a slightly damp patch entering Turn 5 and couldn’t avoid crashing,” he said. Thankfully, he was unharmed, though rain shortly after ended further testing for him.
Despite the setback, Lecuona expressed satisfaction with the progress made during the test, highlighting that the bike felt increasingly faster with each ride. He made subtle changes to the electronics and base settings—nothing major, but enough to enhance his comfort and control. According to him, the Ducati offers enough performance to prevent the need for maximum pushing to reach top speeds.
His current goal is to master handling a bike that allows him to hit peak performance without consistently riding at the edge. “I want to learn how to use this bike to its fullest without reaching my limits,” Lecuona concluded, looking ahead to the upcoming season.
Fan Take: This update is exciting for racing fans because it signals that Lecuona is quickly adapting to Ducati’s powerful machinery, which could shake up the competitive landscape in World Superbike. His approach of combining confidence with controlled riding might be key to pushing the sport’s performance boundaries in a safer, smarter way.
