Just turned thirty, with six WorldSBK seasons behind him, Andrea Locatelli remains confident in his abilities, despite a 2026 campaign that has proved far more difficult than expected. Speaking to Carlo Baldi for Moto.it, the Yamaha rider reflects on his career, from winning the 2020 World Supersport Championship to the struggles of the current season.

"It's been a somewhat unexpected season for everyone, difficult in every sense," Locatelli admits, explaining how the progress made by rival manufacturers, particularly Ducati, has made fighting at the front increasingly challenging. A frustrating situation for a rider who finally celebrated his first WorldSBK victory in 2025.

The interview also explores what Locatelli learned from two exceptional teammates: Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jonathan Rea. The Turkish champion provided a benchmark for performance and improvement, while Rea demonstrated the importance of determination, refusing to give up even during his most difficult moments.

Looking ahead, Locatelli makes his ambitions clear: "With the right circumstances and the right package, you can win." The 2027 season will be crucial, with regulatory changes, shifting technical dynamics and his Yamaha contract approaching its expiration.

The challenge now is to find the conditions that will allow Locatelli to demonstrate the potential he still firmly believes he possesses.