{"id":1881802,"date":"2026-04-14T13:38:57","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T10:38:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1881802"},"modified":"2026-04-14T13:38:57","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T10:38:57","slug":"yamaha-worldsbk-rider-hoping-to-revive-past-form-after-rough-2026-start","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1881802","title":{"rendered":"Yamaha WorldSBK rider hoping to revive past form after rough 2026 start"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300759_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>Yamaha WorldSBK rider hoping to revive past form after rough 2026 start<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>WorldSBK returns to Assen this weekend, where Andrea Locatelli took his first WorldSBK win last year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Alex Whitworth <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-04-14T14:38:57+01:00\">14 Apr 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300759_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300759_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300759_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300759_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300759_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300759_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300759_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300759_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300759_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Andrea Locatelli, 2026 Portuguese WorldSBK. Credit: Gold and Goose.<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0Gold &amp; Goose<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source-cta\">  Add as a preferred source <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The 2025 Dutch WorldSBK was a standout weekend in the course of the season for several reasons \u2013 among them being Andrea Locatelli\u2019s first victory in the class.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Locatelli\u2019s win had been several seasons in the making, having first made his move up to the class in 2021 after dominating the previous year\u2019s World Supersport season.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The Italian required his compatriot, Nicolo Bulega, to retire from the lead with just a couple of laps to go due to a technical problem in order to take the victory, but on the other hand he was able to beat Bulega\u2019s then-teammate Alvaro Bautista on the second factory Ducati straight up.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Locatelli would go on last year to fight for third in the championship, missing out to Bautista only at the very end of the season at the final round in Spain, taking a total of four podiums last year on his route to fourth in the final standings.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The start to the 2026 World Superbike season has been much more difficult for Locatelli, though, the Italian sitting 11th in the standings through two rounds with a best result of fifth in the wet Race 2 in Australia. In the dry, Locatelli\u2019s best result so far this season has been ninth, that coming in Race 2 at Portimao.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">After the poor start to the year, Locatelli is hoping he can revive his season in the same place he took his first win a year ago.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cHow could we not remember Assen as one of the best weekends of my life,\u201d he said ahead of the weekend in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-f13709349f640ff9da8bb7e0d208a88483a05efa5023bf9fdb542f06d90f0b1d\">  Yamaha WorldSBK rider explains \u201cworst feeling ever\u201d at Portimao   Yamaha WorldSBK riders looking for Portimao rebound after \u201cdifficult\u201d opener <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cTo get the first victory in WorldSBK in 2025 was special, and for sure it\u2019s an amazing track \u2013 flowing, fast, I love this type of circuit. This is a great memory, but, of course, we need to look forward to try to repeat again and to get good results.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI want to be realistic as the first two rounds of this season have not been easy and I need to find a better feeling to be faster, but for sure we are working hard to try to maximise our package.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThe first thing will be to start well on Friday and push hard immediately, to take a good reference for the weekend and then we will see. I think the most important thing in this moment is to try to rediscover the same speed and feeling like in the past, because then I am sure the results will come.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-1fecd9d788cf3406c4be44b408f7e309925eb26131cc46f0d74deabc1a083a8f\">  Portimao WorldSBK test exposes \u201cproblems\u201d for one Yamaha rider   Nicolo Bulega apologises to Yamaha rider after &#8220;strange&#8221; WorldSBK testing crash <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThe past results from Assen can give us some confidence to always believe in what we are capable of.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Vierge: Assen \u201cstands out as a strong circuit for Yamaha\u201d<\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Locatelli\u2019s new teammate for 2026, Xavi Vierge, has had a much better start to the year than Locatelli in terms of speed, at least.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Three non-scores in Australia and a crash-and-remount in Race 2 at Portimao leave the Spaniard down in 14th in the standings, but he has Yamaha\u2019s best result of the year with his sixth in Race 1 at the second round.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Vierge is also optimistic about Assen, believing it to be \u201ca really strong circuit for Yamaha\u201d.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWe will arrive in Assen this week \u2013 and maybe there will be some pressure on our shoulders after saying this \u2013 but, it\u2019s one of the races in the calendar that stands out as a really strong circuit for Yamaha,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIn the past, the team has had some amazing results here and my teammate Loka [Andrea Locatelli] has achieved podiums and victory last year, also Remy Gardner has been on the podium.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIt is a track that fits the characteristics of the R1 very well, so I am super excited to start, especially after a solid weekend in Portimao.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIt\u2019s a track that also for my riding style I think is a good one, I\u2019ve had many races here in WorldSBK but also in Moto2 in the past and I have good memories.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIt will be my first time with this bike, but I will work to adapt as quickly as possible to be competitive and try to learn from my teammate.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI am looking forward to discovering how well this circuit suits the R1.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>In this article<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Andrea Locatelli<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Pata Maxus Yamaha<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3>  Previous<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Only one WorldSBK rider has started a season better than Nicolo Bulega in 2026<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2025-03\/GnG_199618_HiRes.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2025-03\/GnG_199618_HiRes.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2025-03\/GnG_199618_HiRes.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2025-03\/GnG_199618_HiRes.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2025-03\/GnG_199618_HiRes.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2025-03\/GnG_199618_HiRes.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2025-03\/GnG_199618_HiRes.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2025-03\/GnG_199618_HiRes.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2025-03\/GnG_199618_HiRes.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-1a27fee23e1ba144211aa7311c225be13b00fe84833e0d5cb3d5280bd75b6dd5\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/picture-100393850-1649415070.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/picture-100393850-1649415070.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/picture-100393850-1649415070.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Alex Whitworth<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">Journalist<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p>Alex joined the Crash.net team in August of 2024 having covered consumer and racing motorcycle news at Visordown for two years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>More News<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-983c35f64dd0e432282a6ffcd9a7cae193b48bc3d2478c667abf80ad8ec10092\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> World Superbikes  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Yamaha rider&#8217;s WorldSBK form \u201ca bit frustrating for everybody\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1771574413\"> 20\/02\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-02\/gng_1291497_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Andrea Locatelli, 2026 Australian WorldSBK. Credit: Gold and Goose.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> World Superbikes  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>2025 WorldSBK race winner \u201ca bit in trouble\u201d as new season approaches<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1771329076\"> 17\/02\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-02\/gng_1291010_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Andrea Locatelli, 2026 Phillip Island WorldSBK Test. Credit: Gold and Goose.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> World Superbikes  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Pata Yamaha reveals 2026 WorldSBK livery after distinctive 2025 campaign<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1769418590\"> 26\/01\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-01\/yamaha-racing_2026_pata_maxus_locatelli_vierge_266.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Andrea Locatelli and Xavi Vierge with 2026 Pata Yamaha R1. 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Credit: Gold and Goose.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> World Superbikes  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Andrea Locatelli: Yamaha must \u201cwait\u201d for final verdict on 2026 WorldSBK development<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1764588388\"> 01\/12\/25<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2025-12\/gng_1287535_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Andrea Locatelli, November 2025 Jerez WorldSBK Test. Credit: Gold and Goose.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>WorldSBK returns to Assen this weekend, where Andrea Locatelli took his first WorldSBK win last year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The 2025 Dutch WorldSBK was a standout weekend in the course of the season for several reasons \u2013 among them being Andrea Locatelli\u2019s first victory in the class.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Locatelli\u2019s win had been several seasons in the making, having first made his move up to the class in 2021 after dominating the previous year\u2019s World Supersport season.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The Italian required his compatriot, Nicolo Bulega, to retire from the lead with just a couple of laps to go due to a technical problem in order to take the victory, but on the other hand he was able to beat Bulega\u2019s then-teammate Alvaro Bautista on the second factory Ducati straight up.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Locatelli would go on last year to fight for third in the championship, missing out to Bautista only at the very end of the season at the final round in Spain, taking a total of four podiums last year on his route to fourth in the final standings.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The start to the 2026 World Superbike season has been much more difficult for Locatelli, though, the Italian sitting 11th in the standings through two rounds with a best result of fifth in the wet Race 2 in Australia. In the dry, Locatelli\u2019s best result so far this season has been ninth, that coming in Race 2 at Portimao.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">After the poor start to the year, Locatelli is hoping he can revive his season in the same place he took his first win a year ago.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cHow could we not remember Assen as one of the best weekends of my life,\u201d he said ahead of the weekend in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-f13709349f640ff9da8bb7e0d208a88483a05efa5023bf9fdb542f06d90f0b1d\">  Yamaha WorldSBK rider explains \u201cworst feeling ever\u201d at Portimao   Yamaha WorldSBK riders looking for Portimao rebound after \u201cdifficult\u201d opener <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cTo get the first victory in WorldSBK in 2025 was special, and for sure it\u2019s an amazing track \u2013 flowing, fast, I love this type of circuit. This is a great memory, but, of course, we need to look forward to try to repeat again and to get good results.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI want to be realistic as the first two rounds of this season have not been easy and I need to find a better feeling to be faster, but for sure we are working hard to try to maximise our package.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThe first thing will be to start well on Friday and push hard immediately, to take a good reference for the weekend and then we will see. I think the most important thing in this moment is to try to rediscover the same speed and feeling like in the past, because then I am sure the results will come.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-1fecd9d788cf3406c4be44b408f7e309925eb26131cc46f0d74deabc1a083a8f\">  Portimao WorldSBK test exposes \u201cproblems\u201d for one Yamaha rider   Nicolo Bulega apologises to Yamaha rider after &#8220;strange&#8221; WorldSBK testing crash <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThe past results from Assen can give us some confidence to always believe in what we are capable of.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Vierge: Assen \u201cstands out as a strong circuit for Yamaha\u201d<\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Locatelli\u2019s new teammate for 2026, Xavi Vierge, has had a much better start to the year than Locatelli in terms of speed, at least.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Three non-scores in Australia and a crash-and-remount in Race 2 at Portimao leave the Spaniard down in 14th in the standings, but he has Yamaha\u2019s best result of the year with his sixth in Race 1 at the second round.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Vierge is also optimistic about Assen, believing it to be \u201ca really strong circuit for Yamaha\u201d.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWe will arrive in Assen this week \u2013 and maybe there will be some pressure on our shoulders after saying this \u2013 but, it\u2019s one of the races in the calendar that stands out as a really strong circuit for Yamaha,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIn the past, the team has had some amazing results here and my teammate Loka [Andrea Locatelli] has achieved podiums and victory last year, also Remy Gardner has been on the podium.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIt is a track that fits the characteristics of the R1 very well, so I am super excited to start, especially after a solid weekend in Portimao.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIt\u2019s a track that also for my riding style I think is a good one, I\u2019ve had many races here in WorldSBK but also in Moto2 in the past and I have good memories.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIt will be my first time with this bike, but I will work to adapt as quickly as possible to be competitive and try to learn from my teammate.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI am looking forward to discovering how well this circuit suits the R1.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The 2025 Dutch WorldSBK was a standout weekend in the course of the season for several reasons \u2013 among them being Andrea Locatelli\u2019s first victory in the class.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Locatelli\u2019s win had been several seasons in the making, having first made his move up to the class in 2021 after dominating the previous year\u2019s World Supersport season.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The Italian required his compatriot, Nicolo Bulega, to retire from the lead with just a couple of laps to go due to a technical problem in order to take the victory, but on the other hand he was able to beat Bulega\u2019s then-teammate Alvaro Bautista on the second factory Ducati straight up.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Locatelli would go on last year to fight for third in the championship, missing out to Bautista only at the very end of the season at the final round in Spain, taking a total of four podiums last year on his route to fourth in the final standings.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The start to the 2026 World Superbike season has been much more difficult for Locatelli, though, the Italian sitting 11th in the standings through two rounds with a best result of fifth in the wet Race 2 in Australia. In the dry, Locatelli\u2019s best result so far this season has been ninth, that coming in Race 2 at Portimao.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">After the poor start to the year, Locatelli is hoping he can revive his season in the same place he took his first win a year ago.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cHow could we not remember Assen as one of the best weekends of my life,\u201d he said ahead of the weekend in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-f13709349f640ff9da8bb7e0d208a88483a05efa5023bf9fdb542f06d90f0b1d\">  Yamaha WorldSBK rider explains \u201cworst feeling ever\u201d at Portimao   Yamaha WorldSBK riders looking for Portimao rebound after \u201cdifficult\u201d opener <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cTo get the first victory in WorldSBK in 2025 was special, and for sure it\u2019s an amazing track \u2013 flowing, fast, I love this type of circuit. This is a great memory, but, of course, we need to look forward to try to repeat again and to get good results.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI want to be realistic as the first two rounds of this season have not been easy and I need to find a better feeling to be faster, but for sure we are working hard to try to maximise our package.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThe first thing will be to start well on Friday and push hard immediately, to take a good reference for the weekend and then we will see. I think the most important thing in this moment is to try to rediscover the same speed and feeling like in the past, because then I am sure the results will come.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-1fecd9d788cf3406c4be44b408f7e309925eb26131cc46f0d74deabc1a083a8f\">  Portimao WorldSBK test exposes \u201cproblems\u201d for one Yamaha rider   Nicolo Bulega apologises to Yamaha rider after &#8220;strange&#8221; WorldSBK testing crash <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThe past results from Assen can give us some confidence to always believe in what we are capable of.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Vierge: Assen \u201cstands out as a strong circuit for Yamaha\u201d<\/h2>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Locatelli\u2019s new teammate for 2026, Xavi Vierge, has had a much better start to the year than Locatelli in terms of speed, at least.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Three non-scores in Australia and a crash-and-remount in Race 2 at Portimao leave the Spaniard down in 14th in the standings, but he has Yamaha\u2019s best result of the year with his sixth in Race 1 at the second round.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Vierge is also optimistic about Assen, believing it to be \u201ca really strong circuit for Yamaha\u201d.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWe will arrive in Assen this week \u2013 and maybe there will be some pressure on our shoulders after saying this \u2013 but, it\u2019s one of the races in the calendar that stands out as a really strong circuit for Yamaha,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIn the past, the team has had some amazing results here and my teammate Loka [Andrea Locatelli] has achieved podiums and victory last year, also Remy Gardner has been on the podium.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIt is a track that fits the characteristics of the R1 very well, so I am super excited to start, especially after a solid weekend in Portimao.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIt\u2019s a track that also for my riding style I think is a good one, I\u2019ve had many races here in WorldSBK but also in Moto2 in the past and I have good memories.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIt will be my first time with this bike, but I will work to adapt as quickly as possible to be competitive and try to learn from my teammate.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI am looking forward to discovering how well this circuit suits the R1.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/wsbk\/news\/1092996\/1\/yamaha-worldsbk-rider-hoping-revive-past-form-after-rough-2026-start&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1300759_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] Yamaha WorldSBK rider hoping to revive past form after rough 2026 start WorldSBK returns to Assen this weekend, where Andrea Locatelli took his first WorldSBK win last year. Alex Whitworth 14 Apr 2026 Share Andrea Locatelli, 2026 Portuguese WorldSBK. Credit: Gold and Goose. \u00a9\u00a0Gold &amp; Goose Add as a preferred source The [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-1881802","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1881802","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1881802"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1881802\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1881802"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1881802"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1881802"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}