Why WorldSBK wins “still far” from Iker Lecuona despite breakthrough podium

Iker Lecuona thinks WorldSBK wins are still a way off for him at the moment, despite taking his first podium with Ducati in Race 1 at Portimao.

Lecuona took his first podium since 2024 in Race 1 at the 2026 Portuguese Round, fending off Miguel Oliveira for almost the whole race after inheriting second when Yari Montella crashed on lap five.

He was 2.5 seconds behind Nicolo Bulega, although he didn’t feel that was an accurate reflection of their true pace.

“Very happy, of course,” Iker Lecuona told WorldSBK.com after Race 1.

“I said many times this winter that I have the team and I have the bike to fight for the victory. Still it’s far, I need to be honest; I know Nicolo [Bulega] managed more the tyre than myself because I’m on the limit during all the race because Miguel [Oliveira] pushed so hard during all the race, so I needed to be focused to don’t make any mistakes. 

“So, I’m happy for that side: I don’t do any mistakes during the race, I had a good start, and honestly [...] really happy. 

“Also, I said many times if I finished second it’s because my teammate was first, so also for the team it was so cool to have P1-P2 in Superpole and Race 1; let’s see tomorrow if we can keep it like that – I sign right now.”

Bulega is probably the biggest hurdle standing in the way of a victory for Lecuona. He’s not unique in that, of course, the Italian having won the last eight races in a row, and Lecuona does at least think that Bulega’s advantage in Portimao is not the same as what it was at Phillip Island, and unlike there it seems to be the Spaniard who is leading the charge behind him.

“He’s still a step forward,” Lecuona said. “Not like in Australia, but still has that two- or three-tenths on the lap. 

“I need to be honest. I’m ready to fight for P2 – Montella crashed [in Race 1], but tomorrow will be there. 

“Also, in the sprint, everyone pushes more, so what’s most important tomorrow is just to stay inside the top-three, that’s it. 

“Then, in the second race, put in my pace and let’s see after 20 laps.”