Iker Lecuona will remain a Ducati WorldSBK rider in 2027 and 2028 after signing a two-year extension with the Bologna factory.

Lecuona moved to Ducati for the 2026 WorldSBK season after four years at Honda that yielded two podiums. In half-a-season with the Panigale V4 R, Lecuona has amassed 19 second places (18 of which were taken consecutively) and a single victory, taken in Race 1 at the UK Round.

A two-year extension will keep Lecuona at the Aruba.it Racing team until at least the end of 2028. The Spaniard’s team-mate is yet to be determined, with Nicolo Bulega seemingly set to move to MotoGP at the end of this year.

“I am really happy,” said Lecuona on his new Ducati contract. “I have already said several times how my life has completely changed since I joined this great family. 

“For this reason, renewing my contract with Aruba.it Racing Ducati is deeply satisfying. 

“I want to thank Aruba and Ducati for giving me this new opportunity. 

“It is great to think about a future together, but the most important thing now is to finish this season in the best possible way, trying to enjoy ourselves, keep improving our performance and, above all, achieve increasingly important results.”

Gigi Dall’Igna, general manager of Ducati Corse, added: “The confirmation of Iker [Lecuona] for the next two seasons is an important sign for the entire Ducati project in WorldSBK. 

“In just a few months, he has shown that he can interpret the Panigale V4 R at its best, quickly turning his potential into concrete results and showing constant growth from both a technical and competitive point of view. 

“The current foundations are very solid and the room for development is interesting. Iker has brought speed, riding sensitivity and experience, all fundamental elements in an increasingly competitive championship. 

“Now the goal is to continue working with method, trying to raise the level even further in every area.

“We are convinced that, with this ambition and continuity, he can also be a leading player in the most important challenges awaiting us in the near future.”