Lecuona: I have more pressure in WorldSBK than I did in MotoGP

Iker Lecuona feels he has more pressure to perform in WorldSBK than he did in MotoGP due to signing with a factory the size of Honda. 

Lecuona is set to make his WorldSBK debut in 2022 alongside another former grand prix rider in Xavi Vierge. 

The ex-Tech 3 KTM rider was somewhat unfortunate to lose his MotoGP ride after beginning to show real promise as the 2021 season went on. 

But with the incredible results of both Remy Gardner (2021 Moto2 champion) and Raul Fernandez in the intermediate class, the Austrian manufacturer took the decision to elevate both young riders, and like Team HRC in WorldSBK form a completely new line-up for this year. 

Although it's a move away from the biggest two-wheel championship in the world, joining a factory the size of Honda - arguably the biggest motorcycle manufacturer in the world - Lecuona feels ‘completely different’ compared to his time in GP as pressure was more ‘from myself’.

"For sure it’s a big step. When you sign for a factory you feel different," added Lecuona. "You have a lot of people behind you that believe in you and expect you to have good results with the team. For sure, I have more pressure than in MotoGP. 

"In MotoGP I had pressure but it was more from myself because I wanted to do a really good result as I knew I had the potential. 

"But in this case I have pressure from both sides I think. Of course, in the first test I won’t have too much pressure or in the first few races because they know the potential from the bike at the moment. 

"We need to improve the bike for sure, but when you sign for a factory it is completely different. I feel different and it’s difficult to explain. 

"When you are a rider who struggled through the years; I struggled in Moto2, I struggled in MotoGP, but then I had the opportunity to sign with this factory, with Honda, so I’m very happy."