Iker Lecuona is looking forward to her first “tough” appearance at WorldSBK in Hungary this weekend at Balaton Park.
The Production Derivatives Series heads to Balaton this weekend (July 25-27) for its first Hungary World Superbike Round since 1990.
In a test using the stock bike on the circuit in June, Honda’s Iker Lekuona admitted that he didn’t enjoy the layout there.
Ahead of this weekend’s race, he reinforced that opinion, adding that he expects it to be “challenging” to set up a track superbike.
Lecuona said he doesn’t like the Balaton layout and expects it will be difficult to make the superbike work well.
“We’re coming to Balaton after a demanding race weekend in the UK. Now we’re hoping for another tough one for a variety of reasons,” Lekuona said.
“What I took from Donington anyway is that if you focus and work the right way, you can make the most of your current bike setup, regardless of your conditions.
“To be honest, I don’t really like trucks so I need to maintain the same mindset in Hungary.
“We did a short test with Stock CBR and we find it difficult to adapt the superbike to that layout.
“That being said, it’s going to be the same for everyone, so we’re going to keep managing it in the best possible way and keep pushing to continue the positive work trends we’ve had in the past few rounds.”
Vierge: Stock tests are “unquestionably helpful”
Xavi Vierge has approached Balaton with a slightly more positive outlook than his teammates, feeling that testing of production bikes in the Hungarian round this weekend will “definitely help” HRC.
“The Balaton is a new truck for everyone,” Xavi Vierge said ahead of the Hungarian round.
“I completed a few laps with the Stock Fire Blade, which definitely helps, because I look at the layout and at least know what to expect.
“If the track is new, it’s always a challenge and an opportunity, so let’s focus on the latter, try to do our best and aim to complete a good weekend.”