WorldSBK Phillip Island: Honda drafts in Nagashima as Lecuona stand-in

Tetsuta Nagashima’s season as Honda’s replacement rider extends to WorldSBK action this weekend as he steps in for Iker Lecuona at Phillip Island.

With Lecuona injured during practice at Indonesia’s Mandalika Circuit last weekend, the Spaniard has returned home to Europe to begin his recovery. HRC’s official test rider, Nagashima, will therefore step into the breech for 2022’s grand finale at the Australian track, fresh from his MotoGP visit with LCR in early October.

The Suzuka 8 Hours winner has already enjoyed an outing with the Honda WorldSBK squad having joined the team for its June test at Misano, that time replacing Xavi Vierge. This weekend will see the two join forces for round 12 to end the season on a high at one off the paddock’s favourite venues on the calendar.

“I’m really happy to compete in the final WorldSBK round because it will be my first experience of the series and I’m both curious and looking forward to it,” Nagashima confirmed from Australia. “At the same time, I wish Iker a speedy recovery and hope he’ll be back soon.

“I will try to help the team with the bike, collecting as much data as possible for the future and doing my best to enjoy this opportunity. As I said, it’s my SBK debut so I don’t know what to expect and the weekend schedule is also new to me but I’m ready to get going!”