Honda move ‘a dream for me’ - Vierge, Lecuona discuss 2022 WorldSBK move

MotoGP rider Iker Lecuona is hoping to fight for the 2022 WorldSBK championship despite next year being a rookie season for him, while soon-to-be team-mate Xavi Vierge calls it ‘a dream’ to be part of Team HRC.

Robert Jones

11 Nov 2021

Iker Lecuona, Algarve MotoGP race, 7 November 2021
© Gold and Goose

Soon-to-be WorldSBK riders Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge will take part in their final Grand Prix this weekend, before making their switch to Honda.

MotoGP rider Lecuona will move to World Superbike after just two full seasons in the premier class, while Vierge is a seven-year Moto2 veteran, despite being just 24 years of age.

Lecuona, who has been KTM’s second highest points scorer since the summer break ended - Brad Binder being the highest, has flashed potential on numerous occasions and should be a good addition to Honda who are losing Alvaro Bautista to Ducati and Leon Haslam (most likely BSB).

And although Lecuona would like to ‘fight for the world championship’ as a rookie in 2022, his focus is primarily on finishing this weekend’s Valencia MotoGP (his home GP) in the best way possible.

Lecuona added: "I am not thinking a lot about next year. For now, I want to keep the focus on MotoGP because I only have one race left and for me, it’s an important race because it’s at my home, like a home GP.

"For next year, first I need to try the bike, try everything like tyres and a completely new bike and then maybe I can tell you whether I can fight for the world championship or not.

"I want to enjoy it, to work hard and maybe after the first race I can say something."

Like Lecuona, Vierge has shown impressive pace at times in 2021, however, the Petronas Sprinta rider has been equally inconsistent.

Vierge has had six DNF’s to go along with his ten points scoring finishes - a run of results which leaves him 11th overall.

While Lecuona's move was a seemingly obvious addition for Honda to make based on potential, age and long-term future for the Japanese manufacturer, the signing of Vierge came as a slight surprise given the team will now run two rookies.

"It’s a dream for me to be part of Honda and I’m really looking forward to starting to work with them," said Vierge.

"It’s a big, big challenge. The differences, I think it will be everything! Starting with the power of the bike, it’s practically double and also the weight is a lot more.

"Also, the tyres. Everything will be new for me. I’m really looking forward to it. The team is amazing. I know most of the members who are already working there."