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Moto3, Locatelli: "My podium? I used my head and was patient"

After his second place finish, the Leopard rider: "I live in the mountains, I could have become a skier but my passion for bikes took over"

Locatelli: "My podium? I used my head and was patient"

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For him it wasn't so easy and wasn't a given, also because, living in Selvino, a town with 2000 inhabitants in the Bergamo mountains, it would have surely been easier to become a skier or focus more on Enduro. Instead, his passion for bikes began at 5 years of age and never left him. On Sunday, at the Sachsenring, Andrea Locatelli scored his first World Championship podium, in a race where it was more important to use one's head than the throttle. And perhaps this was the key to his result, a result Andrea won't forget in a hurry.

Aside from the 'extra-terrestrial' Pawi, you were the quickest of the 'humans'.

“We can put it like that (he smiles). Pawi made a great race, the confidence he has with his bike in the wet is incredible. I felt good right from Friday but of course I wasn't happy when I saw it was raining on Sunday morning, but I tried to keep focused, avoiding mistakes”.

This was a long-awaited podium for you. What was the secret?

“With racing you need to get on the throttle. But on Sunday I think it was more important to use your head and, above all, to stay calm and be patient.  The race was long, and it was easy to make a mistake, which I did in fact. As soon as I got back on track, I tried to maintain my pace, without overdoing it. And in the end I achieved my first podium”.

Did you imagine it would be like that?

“No, but I knew deep down that I was fast. We found the right setting already on Friday, missed out on pole by very little and then had good pace in the warm-up. Those were three important signs”.

Romagna is the Italian bike region, but you live up in the mountains. How hard was it for you to move up in this sport, and also train during the winter?

“It's true. As many know, I live in Salvino, where there is no real passion for bikes, also because you're already lucky if you can become a skier or an Enduro rider.  My passion started when I was about five years old, my dad gave me my first bike as a birthday present and I never stopped after that. Of course it's not easy living in the mountains, because it's already cold in September and I have to ride my bicycle a long way when I want to go riding, but all these sacrifices have helped me reach this great result at the Sachsenring”.

Bagnaia is from Chivasso, this year he's moved to Pesaro. Have you considered moving?

“For sure if I moved further south it would be easier to go riding, also the weather would help. But I like it here in Selvino, the people are lovely and for now I'm not ready to leave my town”.

Back to the race, you've once again shown that you're confident in the wet.

“I don't mind riding in those conditions, your riding needs to be clean and precise. Also in Argentina the conditions were difficult, not like in Germany of course, but we were able to score a good result. I remember when I won my first race in the Italian championship at Forlimpopoli, it was raining so hard that day”.

In recent years you've moved from Mahindra to Honda, and now to KTM. What are the differences?

“KTM is clearly a new project, so it takes time, because we don't yet have the references that perhaps the Ajo or Sky Racing teams have. For sure it's proving to be a fast and competitive bike. Perhaps we need to make some steps in terms of the frame, but I think we're on the right track and personally I'm very pleased”.

Now you have a month's break Coming straight after a podium, is that a good or bad thing?

“Let's say that l'd like to get straight back on the bike, because a podium motivates me. Now we have the holidays and so I'll take some days to relax here in the mountains, while continuing to train though because I want to be ready for Austria”.

After Sunday's podium, do the goals remain the same or can you aim for something more?

“At the start of the season, I was more confident and we had different ambitions. We're close to the top ten so I think if we can reach the top ten that's a good result. But the championship is long and so we'll take it race by race”.

To whom are you dedicating Sunday's result?

“To my parents, they've made so many sacrifices for me. I hope I've made them proud”.

Translated by Heather Watson
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