Ducati has confirmed that Iker Lecuona will be part of Niccolò Bulega at its manufacturing facility Aruba.it squad in WorldSBK subsequent season, changing double world champion Alvaro Bautista.
The announcement comes shortly after Honda confirmed it will half methods with Lecuona on the finish of 2025.
Bautista, who has delivered two world titles and 63 wins for Ducati, seems to be set to stay within the paddock by switching to Barni Ducati rather than BMW-bound Danilo Petrucci.
“The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati staff is happy to announce that an settlement has been reached with Iker Lecuona, who will journey the brand new Ducati Panigale V4R within the 2026 WorldSBK season,” Ducati mentioned in its assertion.
“Born on January 6, 2000, in Valencia, the Spanish rider made his debut within the Moto2 class on the age of 16, the place he remained for 4 seasons earlier than transferring as much as MotoGP in 2020 with the Tech3 staff.
“Since 2022, he has been competing in World Superbike with the Honda HRC staff, with whom he has achieved two podiums and one pole place within the 113 races he has contested thus far.”
The assertion additionally paid tribute to Bautista:
“Inevitably, with the arrival of Lecuona, the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati staff and Alvaro Bautista might be parting methods.
“Having accomplished 228 races thus far on the Panigale V4R, with 63 wins that made him probably the most profitable Ducati rider in Superbike historical past, 120 podiums in complete, 10 pole positions and, in fact, two World Championship titles, these numbers alone are sufficient to outline the connection that has been constructed with Alvaro, an exemplary rider {and professional} each on and off the monitor.
“For that reason, the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati staff wish to specific its heartfelt thanks for the 5 years spent collectively and the extraordinary outcomes achieved.”
