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SBK, Locatelli: "It would be nice to finish fourth in the world championship"

“I tried to put pressure on Lowes. The feeling with the bike is very good. Each race is like a test at school. For now I'm thinking about gaining experience, trying to get other podiums and, why not, winning for the first time ".

SBK: Locatelli: "It would be nice to finish fourth in the world championship"

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Lowes’ crash and a third podium of the season crowned a perfect day for Andrea Locatelli, who is now aiming decisively for fourth place in the World Championship, which is just 2 points away. The Yamaha rider from Bergamo, who started fifth, won the battle with Rinaldi for the momentary fourth place and, taking advantage of Lowes' crash while he was third, made Yamaha's day perfect by accompanying Razgatlioglu on the podium.

“Today I tried to push and put pressure on Lowes, because I saw him make mistakes,” said Locatelli. "I wanted to try to push until the end, in Navarra and Most towards the end of the race my pace dropped because I was riding on my own and there was no need to push. I'm happy, I pushed until the end and the feeling with the bike is very good. This track is not easy for me, it's the first time I've come here and ridden, with this bike, in dry conditions, but we started the weekend well. Today in Superpole we did a great job and for tomorrow we will try to take another step. In the first part of the race it will be important to try to stay with Toprak and Jonathan, I think I can do it but it won't be easy. If we managed to take home another podium it would be fantastic, but for now I'm happy. The gap is not large for me, in the end I think we will have to work and gain experience, but we are fast ”.

You can take fourth place in the World Championship, is that something you are thinking about?

“For now I’m thinking about gaining experience and learning, it would certainly be nice to finish fourth but I’m thinking about continuing like this, trying to get some more podiums and, why not, maybe taking my first win. These are my goals this year, for 2022 we will see. Now every race for me is like a test at school. A new bike, a new track ... now the feeling with the bike is good but I've never ridden here with the R1 and it's not easy. However, we must be happy ”.

Last winter, when you rode the Superbike for the first time, did you expect to take a couple of podiums in your first year and fight for the top-5 in the championship?

“Honestly no, it's great for me, I never thought it would be possible to stay close to the leaders. Now I know what my potential is and the potential with the bike is also excellent, we can fight for the podium in every race and there is nothing better. "

I know you love football and are an Atalanta fan, can we say that your stories are similar? Until a few years ago, Atalanta were in the middle of the table and now play in the Champions League. What's the secret?

"As I am from Bergamo, maybe we drink the same water and maybe the Bergamo water is special. I don't know in any case. I think the secret lies in hard work, Atalanta with Gasperini also works well, they have a good group and I think this is what I need too, a group, my family. When I get back to the garage I'm not a star, I'm a fast, good rider, and the sensations my group gives me are these and it's nice. In the end, like a true Bergamasco, work, work and work. Dosoli is like Gasperini? It’s a close thing”.

 

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