Red Bull KTM Tech3 boss Herve Poncharal has not put any pressure on Iker Lecuona ahead of this weekend's Valencia MotoGP finale and the team are treating like an extra test.
The youngster is standing in for Miguel Oliveira, with whom he will team in 2020, as the Portugese rider had to undergo shoulder surgery after the Sepang race.
"It’s going to be very interesting, because we will have a rookie with us. With just 19 years of age Iker is going to jump on the bike for the very first time during free practice one," said Poncharal.
"It’s a little bit unusual, but once we learned that Miguel will be out of action and knowing, that Iker will be with us next year, we’ve been thinking to provide him an extra test, so there’s absolutely zero pressure on Iker's shoulder and hopefully, we can start working well and have more experience, when we properly start the 2020 season with the test in Valencia on Tuesday.
"So, there are plenty of things to do, it will be quite emotional, as people are leaving, which is sad, but at the same time people are joining, which is exciting.
