Andrea Locatelli’s incredible rookie season in WorldSBK draws high praise from Tea﷽m Principal at Pata Yamaha, Paul Denning. 

After taking a few rounds to find ꧙his feet in the top class, Locatelli was the fourth best rider from Assen onwards as 🐟he reeled in Michael Rinaldi and Alex Lowes for P4 in the championship. 

Sure, Lowes suffered with injuries as the season went on, however, Locatelli was alread🌃y outperforming the Kawasaki rider before that took place. 

In fact, Locatelli even challenged the championship’s top three of team-mate ൲Toprak Razgatli🥃oglu, Jonathan Rea and Scott Redding on occasions. 

The 2020 WorldSSP champion also played a big role in helping Yamaha clinchಞ the manufacturers title after getting the better of Michael Rinaldi during their last round battle in Mandalika. 

Locatelli finished 18 of the last 2♛5 races inside the top five which led to high praise from team boss Paull Denning following the season finale.

Denning added: "Lokꦯa capped off a fantastic maiden s🌸eason with fourth in the championship and as the top rookie. 

"He has really shown that he is an unbelievable talent and has done a fantastic job to be best of the rest behind the top❀ three. The conditions were really tricky in Mandalika, but he rode two mature races. 

"We have a great g♛roup of people here in the team and I just want to thank everyone for their hard work and commitment this year."

Of course, wi🍷th Locatelli being part of a championship winning team courtesy of Razgatlioglu becoming the first Turkish WorldSBK champion, the Italian will be expected to get even closer to the top three during his second season.