Stand-out WorldSBK rookie of the year Andrea Locatelli came close to two more podiums in Jerez but was overcome by more experienced factory riders in the end. For a reason.
But the Italian is confident and upbeat going to Portimao this weekend as he says his Yamaha's base setup is good and he is able to run with Razgatlioglu and Rea - at least for a while.
“Yeah, we are really close to the podium, but in Race One and Race Two we lose a little bit the grip on the rear, and for sure it’s not easy to ride to stay in front to the Ducati and Honda because on the straight we lose a little bit," Locatelli told bikesportnews.com.
"But in the end, it’s another positive weekend for us, because Friday when we start the feeling with the bike and also the stopping of the bike is not so good. But, we will be happy because we took a good result here. I never think it’s possible because it’s not easy. It’s just my first year.
"In Race One, we are so close. We stay a lot of laps with Toprak and Johnny. In the end, Redding overtook me. Today is a little bit different. We tried to make a step on the bike, but in the end, I think it’s not the best way and we don’t help to us to try to stay close in Race Two. But, in any case, I’m so happy and also I want to thank my guys because we work very well every weekend and in the end, now we have a really good base setup of the bike.
"So, it’s important also to be continued on the season. Now also we are so close and we fight for the fourth position on the championship. I think it’s so good for my first year here. Now we have another opportunity in Portimao. For sure it’s not easy because I have never seen the track with this bike.
This far into the season, Portimao may be a bit cooler than Jerez was on Raceday - although prediction for weather in Portugal can be slightly iffy - but Locatelli thinks it will be the same advantage and disadvantage for anyone no matter what the conditions will be.
When we have a colder temperature, also every rider has a benefit and goes fast. So, we need just to work. I try to learn the track. I try to learn the best line to take on the track. This is our objective and for sure we can do also very well in Portimao, because for example, when we were in Most.
"We never see the track and in the end, we make a really good job. Also, in Assen I never rode with this bike. We have a solid base. For sure, we are strong. We will try to get the maximum also in Portimao. We are a little bit frustrated because we don’t take the podium here in Jerez, because I wanted it.”
With the season coming to an end at least in Europe, soon going on to Argentina and then most probably Indonesia, Locatelli is not sure what his plans are for two new tracks to him, and one all new to racing.
“For me, it’s interesting also for the future,” he said. “Now the situation, if I think in the situation I’m not so happy to going in Indonesia and Argentina because with the COVID. But in the end, for me, it’s my first year. I need to learn. I need to learn also the tracks, because if we ride them next year, if we don’t go (now), I don’t know the tracks and I don’t have data.
"Sure, for me it’s important to make also a new experience. For me, my idea is to go in Phillip Island because I love Phillip Island, but in any case we go in Argentina and we try to learn the Argentina track and we try to get the maximum like if we are here in Jerez or in the same race. For sure, it’s the same weekend.”
