Iker Lecuona admits he never expected to return to MotoGP this season, making the phone call he received earlier this week all the more surprising.
The World Superbike rider will replace the injured Alex Marquez at this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, marking his first MotoGP appearance since 2023 and his debut aboard a Ducati MotoGP machine.
Lecuona's opportunity arose after Ducati and Gresini Racing were forced to explore alternative replacement options for Marquez, who continues to recover from injuries sustained in a crash at the Catalan Grand Prix. Michele Pirro had filled in at Mugello, but prior commitments in the Italian Superbike Championship ruled him out of another appearance in Hungary.
Several names were reportedly considered, including World Superbike championship leader Nicolò Bulega. However, Ducati ultimately decided against using the Italian, preferring not to risk injury to one of its key development riders for the 2027 MotoGP project and a major title contender in World Superbikes.
That opened the door for Lecuona, who received the call while taking part in a Superbike test at Aragon.
The Spaniard recalled being approached by his assistant between runs and being told that his manager wanted to speak with him urgently.
When the question came, it caught him completely off guard.
"Do you want to race at Balaton?" Lecuona recalled being asked.
His answer was immediate.
"Okay, yes."
Lecuona described the opportunity as a huge surprise and expressed gratitude to Ducati, Gresini Racing and his Aruba Ducati World Superbike team for making the arrangement possible.
The timing left little room for preparation. After completing his test programme in Aragon, the 26-year-old returned briefly to Spain before travelling directly to Hungary.
Despite the short notice, Lecuona arrives with one important advantage. He raced at Balaton Park during the recent World Superbike round and collected three second-place finishes, giving him valuable experience at a circuit that remains relatively new to many riders.
Even so, the Spaniard is keeping expectations in check. Having spent the last three years away from MotoGP competition, he views the weekend primarily as an opportunity to enjoy his return and reacquaint himself with the demands of the premier class.
For Lecuona, what began as a routine test session has quickly turned into one of the biggest opportunities of his racing career, offering a chance to showcase his abilities on one of the most competitive bikes on the MotoGP grid.
