'It controls you! – Quartararo, Marquez, Rossi offer Iker advice
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Iker Lecuona is the surprise final rider on the 2020 MotoGP grid, having been signed to take over Brad Binder’s proposed seat at Tech3, after the South African rookie was moved to the factory team.The 19-year-old Spaniard is currently competing in only his second full season in grand prix, riding for American Racing in Moto2, where he recently claimed his first dry podium to add to a wet weather rostrum at Valencia 2018. Lecuona is presently eleventh in the world championship.On Thursday at Phillip Island reigning MotoGP champion Marc Marquez, seven time premier-class title winner Valentino Rossi and current rookie star Fabio Quartararo were asked if they had any advice for Lecuona.”Advice? Difficult…” began Marquez. “I mean of course Iker is a very young rider, his experience is not a lot in the world championship but if KTM already give him the opportunity it’s because they see something and it will be interesting to see his progression.”Herve’s team also has really good experience and he will have time and no pressure. So just enjoy it and try to learn about all the rides in MotoGP.”Rossi, preparing for a record 400th grand prix start this weekend, added:”At the end in MotoGP you have a big difference but it’s also the same; one motorcycle, the same track. So try to understand the bike.”For sure with our bikes the limit is higher so the bike gives you more grip, so you can push more. But take his time and see… Maybe Quartararo is better to give advice to the rookie!”Quartararo has been the surprise of the season, claiming six podiums already this season for the satellite Petronas Yamaha team while fighting Marquez for victory at Misano and Buriram.20-year-old Frenchman warned Lecuona that his first MotoGP laps will be something of a shock, but echoed the advice of taking his time to learn the more powerful bike, Michelin tyres and advanced electronics.”I don’t have a lot of experience in MotoGP but of course the first tests when you are on the bike are really strange. You don’t even control the bike, the bike controls you!” Quartararo said.”This is really not easy in the first tests because you don’t know how to ride this bike in the first laps. So just take his time. I think it’s not easy to ride a MotoGP bike fast, but if next year he goes step-by-step he can go fast.””4Lecuona meanwhile admitted it was a dream come true to join his heroes next season, having expected to ride in Moto2 for the KTM Ajo team.”Thanks to KTM and Poncharal for this opportunity,” he said. “For me it’s crazy to be here with Marc or Valentino. When I was a kid I saw everybody on TV! It’s a nice feeling to be with all these amazing riders on the track next year.”Lecuona will be team-mate to Miguel Oliveira, who admitted he was unhappy at KTM’s decision to promote rookie Binder straight into the factory team.
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