Yamaha and Andrea Locatelli completed their first 2025 World Superbike pre-season test at Jerez.
The 2024 World Superbike season was Andrea Locatelli's worst year in the class. The Italian rider has spent four years with Yamaha and is heading into his fifth with the Japanese manufacturer.
The 28-year-old ended the 2024 season seventh in the World Superbike Championship with four podiums to his name. Locatelli has remained faithful to Yamaha for 2025 and has completed his first preseason test ahead of what could be a crucial year for the rider.
This was Locatelli's only preseason test before four more days of testing in January next year.
“The rhythm with the race tyre was good," Locatelli stated. "It was a shame to have such a big crash this morning on the second day and miss some of the test programme.
"But, now we are looking forward and waiting for January so I can ride on my R1 again. We have time to analyse the data from both days and make another upgrade to prepare the bike for four more days of testing in January – which will be important to finalise everything ready for the season.
"We did 72 laps yesterday and in general for the first day, I was happy, immediately with a good pace even though we were not in search of a fast lap time. It is important after a long time I have been with Yamaha that we push to the maximum, no matter what the condition.
"If we can be fast immediately it can be a big advantage for us both in testing and during the race weekends, in this area, I have improved a lot. It is a step-by-step process overall in testing, we stay positive and I always believe that we can make a difference in all the areas where we work.
"Thank you to the team and Yamaha, and I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!”