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Setting achievable goals is always the best way to end the day on a positive note. This was Iker Lecuona’s case, who was catapulted for the second time from the Superbike to the MotoGP, in order to replace Mir who was injured after the surprise debut in Jerez.
The Spanish rider – who was riding the CBR ‘Triple R’ this year and consolidated a series of six places, finishing fourth in the Superpole race in Barcelona –had the HRC tester, Stefan Bradl, in his crosshairs in Assen and managed to beat him.
A step forward, taking into account that, in Andalusia on his the RC213-V, he ended the Sprint Race in 18th place to 10” from Stefan, who was 15th.
“I’m really happy, in general. I mean it, honestly. I’ve improved in every session. I’ve taken almost seven tenths off, and I’m very close to the other Honda riders, and only half a second into qualifying. I started off well in the Sprint Race, but I didn’t push at Turns 1 and 5, which are critical points, and I decided not to take risks. I wanted to finish in front of Bradl (tn. he had no idea he had fallen in the morning and was also in “recovery mode”), and I succeeded, overtaking him on the last lap. I had a good pace. And I think that, if I improve by a few tenths, I could keep up with the first group.”
Leucona took this second experience in the MotoGP with a grain of salt, and did well.
“It’s a very critical bike that doesn’t give you much warning,” he confirmed. “I saved a bad moment at Turn 5, and my front wheel would lock when braking at Turn 1. Sometimes the bike warns you, others it doesn’t. There’s not enough grip in the rear and, when I was using it like the Superbike, it would slip behind me.”
There’s also a tire difference to consider.
“Yes. The Pirellis are softer, and the bike dances around and moves when exiting, but you can brake hard in corners. With the MotoGP in qualifying, I made a lot of mistakes because I had the Superbike chip in my head,” Iker said jokingly. “And I rode it like the CBR, braking too late. With this one, you have to do it first, without being too aggressive and let it slide.”
