Regardless of each ending inside the highest three, Nicolo Brega and Iker Lecuona weren’t proud of how their driving felt throughout follow at WorldSBK within the Netherlands.
The Aruba.it Racing Ducati team-mates have been 1-2 in FP1 with Brega main Lecuona, and though the consequence was not the identical in FP2, the latter achieved a stable third place within the World Superbike area.
Nevertheless, neither rider was fully glad with the texture of the bike, with Brega particularly saying in his feedback that his feeling was at “90 per cent”, echoing what he mentioned at Portimao, the place he led each lap in all three races.
“We had an excellent begin this morning,” Nicolo Brega informed WorldSBK.com after FP2 within the Netherlands. “However I wasn’t too proud of the sensation of the bike.
“As we speak I improved a bit bit, however I am nonetheless at 90 %. Tomorrow I’ve to attempt to discover the remaining 10 %.”
Brega added that what he lacks is getting into corners.
“I type of miss the texture of the entrance to make use of the brakes to place the bike the place you need it, and it’s a bit more durable to deliver the bike in with the brakes,” he mentioned.
“We’ll should launch it a bit early, however I believe we’ll be capable to do one thing tomorrow.”
Regardless of the imperfect really feel, Brega was glad together with his efficiency.
“Anyway, I’ve good tempo and the bike feels good so I am pleased,” he mentioned.
“We did an incredible job with the used tires. We did not change any tires this afternoon, so it was an excellent Friday.”
Lecuona: “I’m irritated.”
Iker Lecuona, 2026 Netherlands World SBK, Pit Field. Credit score: Gold and Goose.
© Gold & Goose
In Iker Lecuona’s case, his velocity was not the identical as Brega’s in follow at Assen, however on the finish of the day he had the third finest time, which was nonetheless ok.
Nonetheless, the Spanish rider was dissatisfied after Friday’s run as he felt he couldn’t discover consolation on the bike.
“General I am a bit pissed off,” Lecuona informed WorldSBK.com.
“I’m probably not proud of the sensation as a result of even within the morning after I’m on the bike I don’t really feel good and I’m not snug.
“This afternoon I simply could not discover a technique to take an excellent step. I modified one thing on the bike and it labored at some factors (that I wasn’t anticipating) so I improved on some factors that I am okay with. That is good, however I have never improved on the factors the place I am struggling.”
“So it is a bit irritating to speak about how the bike rides.”
Whereas Brega’s issues usually lie with nook entry, Lecuona had the same grievance with BMW’s Miguel Oliveira, saying he was unable to get his M1000 RR to show in flowing corners. For Lecuona, it is a high-speed flip the place she will’t go as quick as she would love.
“The bike simply would not really feel good within the high-speed corners,” defined the Spaniard.
“At any time when I wish to go quick, I’m going large.
“In order that’s one thing we have to work on, perceive what occurred and check out one thing for tomorrow, as a result of we’re struggling in an important space right here as a result of there are a whole lot of high-speed corners on that observe.”
Like Brega, Lecuona additionally had cause to be optimistic about his potential by way of outcomes, as the texture of the bike was robust regardless of the imperfections.
“My teammate (Bulega) was sooner, however the remainder of the fellows have been 10 or 15 laps slower than me,” Lecuona mentioned.
“So we’re good in tempo efficiency however we nonetheless missed one thing so we’ll see tomorrow.
“Clearly we are able to take into consideration the rostrum now that we’re there, however proper now we’re not enthusiastic about that. We’re enthusiastic about FP3 and making an attempt to enhance and really feel extra snug and quick on the bike.”
