Marco Bezzecchi
Iker Lecuona has explained why it is ‘easier’ for him to perform in MotoGP than Toprak Razgatlioglu.
Lecuona, 26, currently competes in the Superbike World Championship for the Ducati factory team.
Earlier in the month, Lecuona was chosen as Alex Marquez’s replacement at Gresini for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Although he hasn’t taken part in MotoGP since 2023, Lecuona produced an impressive display to finish seventh around Balaton Park.
In doing so, Lecuona managed to score nine points, equalling the total amount of points Razgatlioglu has secured this year.
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Iker Lecuona explains why it is ‘easier’ for him to perform in MotoGP
Speaking recently to Spanish news outlet Sport, Lecuona explained why he found it easier to adapt to MotoGP than Razgatlioglu.
The Spaniard hinted at the fact that he was able to draw on his previous experience in the premier class.
The 26-year-old went on to say that Razgatlioglu is doing a ‘great job’ despite Yamaha’s well-documented struggles in 2026.
Lecuona said: “I’ve been saying it since the start of the season: Toprak is doing a great job with a very difficult bike. I’ve been a MotoGP rider; yes, three years have passed, but the way the brakes function remains the same.
“I haven’t forgotten how to brake with those brakes—I love them. It’s not easy to come back and do it, but it’s something that’s already second nature to me.
“I’ve ridden fast on a MotoGP bike before, so I know it took a lot of effort to readapt to those Michelin tyres, but I put in a lot of work to try and ride the way I used to.”
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He continued: “Interestingly, I was faster on used tyres than on new ones because, with every lap, I was making adjustments, understanding the bike, and listening to what the tyres were telling me. For me, it’s a little easier than it is for Toprak.
“We know the Yamahas are struggling, but Toprak is doing a great job; he’s right up there with the other Yamahas—he’s not the last one among them; he’s always in the mix.
“I’m also happy to be sharing the track with him; we get along very well, we’ve chatted, and he’s performing well.”
Speaking previously, Razgatlioglu admitted to having a ‘strange’ feeling with the rear Michelin tyre.
Lecuona also touched on the challenge of adapting to MotoGP tyres. He said: “MotoGP is always a bit trickier, though; Pirelli tyres are easier to figure out, whereas Michelins take a bit more time, so I found it quite challenging.”
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