WorldSBK: Denning: Locatelli ‘is an unbelievable talent’ after finishing fourth

Pata Yamaha Team Principal, Paul Denning, has called 2021 WorldSBK rookie Andrea Locatelli ‘an unbelievable talent’ after the Italian finished fourth in the championship.
Andrea Locatelli, Indonesian WorldSBK, 20 October 2021
Andrea Locatelli, Indonesian WorldSBK, 20 October 2021
© Gold and Goose

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.

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