Honda HRC Back to Full Force for Estoril WorldSBK

Iker Lecuona rejoins Xavi Vierge as Honda HRC heads to Portugal for the penultimate WorldSBK round at Estoril, joined by wildcard Tetsuta Nagashima.

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The Honda HRC squad arrives in Portugal ready to take on the penultimate round of the 2025 World Superbike Championship with a full rider line-up once again. The upcoming weekend at the Circuito do Estoril will see Iker Lecuona back alongside Xavi Vierge, with Tetsuta Nagashima joining as a wildcard entry to support the team’s development program.

After sitting out two rounds due to surgery on his right arm following his Balaton Park crash, Lecuona has been given the green light by his doctors to make a cautious return. Pending the final circuit medical check on Thursday, the Spaniard will climb back onto the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade and ease his way back into competition.

Vierge Ready to Build Momentum

Meanwhile, Xavi Vierge is eyeing a strong finish to what has been a demanding season. He’s looking to replicate and improve on his sixth-place result from Estoril last year, confident in the team’s progress.

For Vierge, the back-to-back races with Jerez will be crucial opportunities to secure a top result and deliver a strong end to Honda’s 2025 campaign.

Nagashima’s Wildcard Mission

Honda test rider Tetsuta Nagashima will make his return to the WorldSBK grid this weekend as a wildcard. His focus will be on fine-tuning the CBR1000RR-R setup and collecting performance data to guide future factory development.

The Japanese rider’s participation reflects Honda’s ongoing commitment to improving competitiveness through active race testing.

Estoril: A Classic Circuit with Challenges

The Circuito do Estoril is located just outside Lisbon. It features a mix of fast straights, tight corners, and elevation changes across its 4.182 km layout. With nine right-hand and four left-hand turns, plus a nearly one-kilometre main straight, the track rewards both precision and power.

Given its autumn slot on the calendar, changing weather could add an extra layer of unpredictability to the weekend. We can expect tyre wear and track temperature management to play key roles.