Iker Lecuona convinced of victory chance in Hungary WorldSBK Race 2

Iker Leucona is sure of his potential to win Race 2 at the Hungarian WorldSBK after finishing second in the Superpole Race.

Lecuona’s first two races in Hungary this weekend were conditioned by his grid position, with a three-place penalty for Race 1 leaving him eighth after qualifying fifth before taking that fifth position for the Superpole Race, although it effectively became fourth after Miguel Oliveira’s lap one crash left him unable to take the restart.

Lecuona started the eight-lap restart well, getting up to second by turn four. He then lost time to Nicolo Bulega ahead, the Italian extending his lead to 1.5 seconds within a couple of laps, but Lecuona came back in the final laps and got that gap back under one second.

It was a performance that convinced Lecuona he will have the possibility to win Race 2 this afternoon starting from second place.

“I’m happy because I have an okay start, honestly it’s not the best one but I can manage to be second in turn two,” Iker Lecuona told the WorldSBK world feed broadcast after the Superpole Race.

“But I need to say that Nicolo [Bulega] in the beginning had an extra confidence on the bike with new tyres and was faster than me. Then I go a bit faster than him when the tyre drops a little bit. 

“I think for the long race it will be different because it’s 21 laps, it’s double the laps, but in any case I’m happy.

“P2 for Race 2 that also was the objective, that first row, and let’s see what happens. 

“I think we have the speed and the potential to fight for the victory with Nicolo. Maybe we can enjoy a bit more the race, so let’s see what happens.”