Iker Lecuona Returns to MotoGP with Gresini at Silverstone

Lecuona Back in MotoGP as Gresini Call Up Former HRC Rider

Iker Lecuona is returning to MotoGP, with Gresini Racing confirming the Spanish rider will replace Fermín Aldeguér at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. The move brings Lecuona back to the premier class after a spell away from the championship, slotting into a Gresini Ducati seat for the upcoming round.

Aldeguér's absence opens the door for Lecuona, who previously competed in MotoGP with the Honda LCR and Repsol Honda outfits before moving to the World Superbike Championship. His experience in the premier class makes him a practical short-notice option for a team that needs a competent stand-in at one of the calendar's most demanding circuits.

Aldeguér's Injury Creates the Opening

Fermín Aldeguér, the young Spanish talent who joined Gresini for the 2025 season, is unavailable for the Silverstone round due to injury. The team has not announced whether Aldeguér's absence will extend beyond the British Grand Prix, leaving the duration of Lecuona's replacement stint unclear for now.

Gresini has had to manage similar disruptions before, and the team's familiarity with navigating mid-season changes means the transition should be relatively smooth. Silverstone, however, is a high-speed technical challenge, and integrating a returning rider into a current-spec Ducati on short notice is never straightforward.

Lecuona's Path Back to the Grid

Lecuona made his MotoGP debut in 2020 and spent two seasons in the premier class before transitioning to WorldSBK, where he has raced for BMW Motorrad. Returning to a Ducati-powered machine at Gresini represents a significant switch in machinery compared to what he has been racing in the Superbike series.

His Silverstone appearance will be closely watched. Riders who step back into MotoGP after time away often face a steep re-adjustment period, particularly with the current generation of aerodynamically complex Desmosedici machines. How quickly Lecuona adapts across practice sessions will go a long way toward determining how competitive Gresini can be with him in the seat.

No further rounds beyond Silverstone have been confirmed for Lecuona at this stage, with the team's plans likely dependent on Aldeguér's recovery timeline.