Iker Lecuona could return to MotoGP in 2028, but his immediate future remains in WorldSBK. In 2027 he is expected to take on an effective lead-rider role at Aruba.it Racing after Nicolo Bulega moves to the VR46 Ducati MotoGP team. Franco Morbidelli is set to be his teammate.

The possible return is tied to an apparent clause in the new two-year contract Lecuona signed with Ducati during the summer, after taking his first win at Donington. That clause could allow him to leave after one season if he receives an offer from a Ducati MotoGP team. It is therefore an opening rather than a confirmed ride or a scheduled promotion.

Lecuona already has MotoGP experience from 2020 and 2021. He moved to WorldSBK with Honda in 2022 after KTM dropped him from Tech3 to make room for Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez. During four years with HRC, he also made several replacement appearances for LCR Honda.

His first Ducati season, in 2026, provided a strong platform for the next stage of his career: four wins, second place in the championship and 29 podiums from 33 races. He also made several replacement appearances for Gresini, with seventh place in Hungary among his notable results.

The 2027 season will set the standard

Bulega is the second rider in two years to reach MotoGP after winning the WorldSBK title, following Toprak Razgatlioglu’s move in 2026 after his third championship in 2025. Lecuona could become the next rider to make that transition, but he will be 28 at the start of the 2028 MotoGP season. His Aruba.it Racing results will determine whether he can earn another MotoGP opportunity ahead of a promising Moto2 rider. Beside him will be Morbidelli, a MotoGP race winner and the 2017 Moto2 world champion. His most recent Grand Prix win came in 2020, followed by three podiums.