Who is Iker Lecuona? Everything to know about Alex Marquez’s replacement for Hungarian Grand Prix

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Iker Lecuona will return to MotoGP at the Hungarian Grand Prix to replace Gresini rider Alex Marquez, so here is everything you need to know about the Spaniard.

Marquez’s horrific accident at the Catalan Grand Prix left him requiring surgery for a fractured collarbone and an injury to his C7 vertebra. Gresini confirmed that he would miss the Italian Grand Prix and the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Ducati test rider Michele Pirro stepped in to replace Marquez at Mugello, finishing the race in 19th. The 39-year-old is unavailable for the race at Balaton Park, leaving Gresini needing to bring in an alternative.

Turning to the World Superbikes paddock, championship leader Nicolo Bulega turned down the opportunity, so Gresini have called up his Aruba.it Racing teammate, Iker Lecuona. Ahead of the Hungarian GP, here is all you need to know about him.

Should Gresini have brought in Nicolo Bulega to replace Alex Marquez for the Hungarian GP?

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Iker Lecuona to replace Alex Marquez at Gresini for the Hungarian Grand Prix

Lecuona will be making his eighth appearance as a replacement rider since retiring from full-time competition in MotoGP in 2021. The Hungarian GP will be his first race for Gresini and his first on a Ducati bike in the series.

With there being no World Superbike round, he is available to take the reins of the GP26. Lecuona has experience of the Balaton Park circuit, with it being on the WSBK calendar.

Speaking ahead of the Hungarian GP, he said: “I’m happy about this opportunity. It’s an opportunity I didn’t expect. They told me on Monday during the Aragon tests. I’m obviously happy, and I thank Ducati for giving me this opportunity, as well as Gresini, who agreed to let me ride their bike. 

“I also want to thank the Aruba Ducati team, Stefano, and Serafino for saying yes, even though we’re in the middle of the Superbike Championship, but I’m really happy about this opportunity. 

“I want to have fun, and I don’t want to put any pressure on myself. I know Ducati won’t either. I just want to ride and finish the race. Balaton is a track I like. I’m fast there, and we’ll see what we can do, but having fun remains the main goal.”

READ MORE: Everything to know about Gresini from the MotoGP team’s riders to hierarchy

What are your HONEST thoughts on Balaton Park?

The track has come in for a lot of criticism…

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Iker Lecuona only raced two full seasons in MotoGP

Lecuona’s Grand Prix career began at the end of the 2016 season in Moto2. Replacing the injured Dominique Aegerter at CarXpert Interwetten for six of the last seven races, he permanently replaced him in 2017, but only managed to score two points all year.

Switching from Kalex to KTM machinery in 2018, Lecuona scored his first podium in Moto2 in the season finale in Valencia. His second podium came in Thailand in 2019, finishing the season in 12th, matching his result from the previous year.

Lecuona made his MotoGP debut at the end of 2019, replacing Miguel Oliveira at Tech3. He retired from the race, but he would be signed to the team for 2020 after Johann Zarco’s sudden exit from KTM.

In two seasons with Tech3, Lecuona managed only 66 points, finishing 20th in the championship in 2020 and 2021, with a best result of sixth at the 2021 Austrian GP. He left Tech3 and MotoGP full-time in 2022, moving to World Superbikes with Honda.

Lecuona scored two podiums with the team across four seasons, with a best finish of ninth in the standings in 2022. With his ties to Honda, Lecuona replaced Marc Marquez at the 2023 Spanish GP and made another six appearances in MotoGP that year.

Signing with Ducati in WSBK in 2026, Lecuona is partnered with Bulega at Aruba.it Racing. At the time of writing, the Italian has won every race thus far, while his teammate has finished P2 in the last 15 races, already marking his best season in the series.

How old is Iker Lecuona? When was he born?

Lecuona was born on 6 January, 2000, making him 26 years old at the time of writing.

Where was Iker Lecuona born? What is his nationality?

Lecuona was born in Valencia, making him Spanish.

How tall is Iker Lecuona? What is his height in feet?

According to the official MotoGP website, Lecuona stands at 179 cm tall, making him 5 ft 10.5 inches.

What number does Iker Lecuona race with?

Lecuona raced with the number 27 in MotoGP, using it at Tech3 and with Honda during his part-time appearances in 2023. He races with number 7 with Ducati in WSBK, but with Toprak Razgatlioglu using the number in MotoGP, he will likely revert back to #27 at Balaton Park.

Iker Lecuona career stats