{"id":2129186,"date":"2026-09-04T15:22:59","date_gmt":"2026-09-04T12:22:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2129186"},"modified":"2026-09-04T15:22:59","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T12:22:59","slug":"new-worldsbk-crew-chief-for-andrea-locatelli-we-needed-a-bit-of-a-reset","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2129186","title":{"rendered":"New WorldSBK crew chief for Andrea Locatelli: \u201cWe needed a bit of a reset\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341118_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>New WorldSBK crew chief for Andrea Locatelli: \u201cWe needed a bit of a reset\u201d<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Yamaha has changed Andrea Locatelli\u2019s WorldSBK crew chief for round nine of 2026 after a disappointing first part of the season.<\/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=\"2026-09-04T16:22:59+01:00\">04 Sep 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:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341118_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341118_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341118_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341118_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341118_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341118_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341118_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341118_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341118_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 French WorldSBK, entering pit box. 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<aside>\n<div class=\"preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div>  Prefer Crash.Net on Google <\/div>\n<div> See our stories more often<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"button\">  Add <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Andrea Locatelli has a new crew chief at the factory Yamaha team from this weekend at Magny-Cours, which Yamaha boss Niccolo Canepa hopes will help him to recover some confidence.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Locatelli became a WorldSBK race winner for the first time in 2025, taking victory in Race 2 at Assen, but in 2026 has not yet visited the podium and has a best result of only sixth this year, that coming back at Assen in Race 1 of the Dutch Round.<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/andrea-locatelli-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-07733.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/andrea-locatelli-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-07733.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/andrea-locatelli-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-07733.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/andrea-locatelli-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-07733.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/andrea-locatelli-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-07733.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/andrea-locatelli-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-07733.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/andrea-locatelli-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-07733.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/andrea-locatelli-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-07733.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/andrea-locatelli-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-07733.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Andrea Locatelli, 2026 UK WorldSBK. Credit: Tony Goldsmith.<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The Italian has changed crew chief for this season; after two years with Tom O\u2019Kane (who moved to other side of the garage to work with Xavi Vierge) he\u2019d taken on Giulio Nava who moved over from the Aruba.it Racing Ducati team where he was Alvaro Bautista\u2019s crew chief.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">But the poor results so far this year has prompted a change to be made, and Locatelli now has Emanuele Martielli in his corner at Yamaha.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read Also<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-c6dd031b2ca7103541777419c65f33ef807b0c3c4b84ddba2f69ebfeb2de12f0\">\n<div class=\"item-list\">\n<ul>\n<li>Xavi Vierge \u201cwill stay\u201d in WorldSBK next year but \u201cnothing is closed yet\u201d<\/li>\n<li>One rider\u2019s WorldSBK struggles pinned on Yamaha: \u2018We have to give him a better package\u2019<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/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=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341092_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341092_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341092_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341092_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341092_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341092_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341092_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341092_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341092_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Andrea Locatelli, 2026 French WorldSBK, pit box. Credit: Gold and Goose.<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0Gold &amp; Goose<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Yamaha Motor Europe road racing sporting manager Niccolo Canepa spoke to the WorldSBK world feed broadcast during FP1 at Magny-Cours about the change, saying Nava had taken on a broader role in Yamaha\u2019s WorldSBK project while the hope was for the change of crew chief in Locatelli\u2019s side of the garage to bring back some lost confidence.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWe cannot hide it: the performance this year has been lower than the expectations for Loka [Andrea Locatelli], so we needed a bit of a reset to try to help him to regain the confidence,\u201d said Canepa.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI think to reshuffle a bit the people inside the garage could be a positive thing.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cGiulio [Nava] is actually helping us with all four bikes as a performance analyst. I think with his experience and this general overview of the bike he can be really helpful for us to support all four bikes.\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<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI\u2019m confident that this is the right move to help Loka to regain the confidence and to support better Yamaha.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-field-keywords block-layout-builder\">\n<h2>Tags:<\/h2>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Andrea Locatelli<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Pata Maxus Yamaha<\/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 <span>Article<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_plain\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Xavi Vierge \u201cwill stay\u201d in WorldSBK next year but \u201cnothing is closed yet\u201d <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item next\">\n<h3> Next <span>Article<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_plain\">\n<div class=\"content\"> \u201cThe problem is the budget\u201d for Ducati WorldSBK team amid MotoGP rider links <\/div>\n<\/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-b1bc3624c4c12e0c3852a56da79e4643f1c1345c5fddd61fb5c257943398e541\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/pictures\/picture-alex-w.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/pictures\/picture-alex-w.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/pictures\/picture-alex-w.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>Related Articles<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-6426eb47c6af9694f998717d8bbeeabac4822a317ce54325e43590ec00440a50\">\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>Donington WorldSBK an \u201cimportant race\u201d for Andrea Locatelli after Suzuka podium<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1325221_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Andrea Locatelli, 2026 Emilia-Romagna WorldSBK, grid. 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>Yamaha \u201cstill a long way\u201d from front of WorldSBK despite Misano test steps<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-05\/unnamed-60.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Xavi Vierge, May 2026 Misano WorldSBK test. Credit: Pata Maxus Yamaha.\" 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>Tommy Bridewell celebrates major breakthrough at Czech WorldSBK<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-05\/gng_1315649_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Tommy Bridewell, Czech WorldSBK 2026.\" 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>Miguel Oliveira out of Hungarian WorldSBK after Superpole Race crash<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-05\/gng_1309373_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Miguel Oliveira, 2026 Hungarian WorldSBK, pit box. 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&#8217;s WorldSBK improvement helps team-mate beat him<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-04\/gng_1305244_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Andrea Locatelli leads Xavi Vierge at 2026 Dutch 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>Yamaha WorldSBK rider hoping to revive past form after rough 2026 start<\/p><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-04\/gng_1300759_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Andrea Locatelli, 2026 Portuguese WorldSBK. Credit: Gold and Goose.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col second-column\">\n<div class=\"sticky\">\n<div class=\"component-card-default block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<h2>Latest News<\/h2>\n<div class=\"component-blocks-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-895fa2d44f383f6d2a2952a5382617ceb5708ca292908e8f8e23894bd8ec1842\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> WSBK  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Nicolo Bulega bemoans \u201cnot the best\u201d feeling despite topping French WorldSBK practice<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1788546330\"> 5m ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341108_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341108_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341108_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> WSBK  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cQuite different\u201d: Iker Lecuona brings MotoGP setup back to WorldSBK<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1788544896\"> 29m ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341098_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341098_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341098_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> WSBK  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Jake Dixon \u201ca step better\u201d at French WorldSBK but \u201ca lot of work to do\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1788540504\"> 1h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1334935_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1334935_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1334935_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> WSBK  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cThe problem is the budget\u201d for Ducati WorldSBK team amid MotoGP rider links<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1788537256\"> 2h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1332953_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1332953_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1332953_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> WSBK  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>New WorldSBK crew chief for Andrea Locatelli: \u201cWe needed a bit of a reset\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1788535379\"> 3h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341118_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341118_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341118_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"component-card-default block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<h2>More News<\/h2>\n<div class=\"component-blocks-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-42c45b4997e4390d917add13eac5c64f57985c1e4b7c9b718f5e1f0a9dba1883\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> WSBK  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Xavi Vierge \u201cwill stay\u201d in WorldSBK next year but \u201cnothing is closed yet\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1788515929\"> 8h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1334953_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1334953_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1334953_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> WSBK  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Miguel Oliveira hoping to tap into \u201cunreached potential\u201d with new BMW WorldSBK deal<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1788509281\"> 10h ago<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1331386_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1331386_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1331386_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> WSBK  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cI decided\u201d: WorldSBK leader Nicolo Bulega promises 2027 announcement \u201cvery soon\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1788449468\"> 03\/09\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1334938_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1334938_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1334938_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> WSBK  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Alvaro Bautista \u201cworking\u201d on 2027 WorldSBK deal but nothing \u201cclear\u201d yet<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1788447854\"> 03\/09\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1333765_hires.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1333765_hires.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1333765_hires.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> WSBK  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>End of the road? MotoGP winner&#8217;s future uncertain as major WorldSBK news confirmed<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1788444066\"> 03\/09\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/danilo-petrucci-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-09888.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 270w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/danilo-petrucci-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-09888.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 180w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/danilo-petrucci-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-09888.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=1:1 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Yamaha has changed Andrea Locatelli\u2019s WorldSBK crew chief for round nine of 2026 after a disappointing first part of the season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Andrea Locatelli has a new crew chief at the factory Yamaha team from this weekend at Magny-Cours, which Yamaha boss Niccolo Canepa hopes will help him to recover some confidence.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Locatelli became a WorldSBK race winner for the first time in 2025, taking victory in Race 2 at Assen, but in 2026 has not yet visited the podium and has a best result of only sixth this year, that coming back at Assen in Race 1 of the Dutch Round.<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/andrea-locatelli-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-07733.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/andrea-locatelli-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-07733.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/andrea-locatelli-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-07733.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/andrea-locatelli-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-07733.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/andrea-locatelli-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-07733.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/andrea-locatelli-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-07733.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/andrea-locatelli-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-07733.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/andrea-locatelli-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-07733.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/andrea-locatelli-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-07733.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Andrea Locatelli, 2026 UK WorldSBK. Credit: Tony Goldsmith.<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The Italian has changed crew chief for this season; after two years with Tom O\u2019Kane (who moved to other side of the garage to work with Xavi Vierge) he\u2019d taken on Giulio Nava who moved over from the Aruba.it Racing Ducati team where he was Alvaro Bautista\u2019s crew chief.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">But the poor results so far this year has prompted a change to be made, and Locatelli now has Emanuele Martielli in his corner at Yamaha.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read Also<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-c6dd031b2ca7103541777419c65f33ef807b0c3c4b84ddba2f69ebfeb2de12f0\">\n<div class=\"item-list\">\n<ul>\n<li>Xavi Vierge \u201cwill stay\u201d in WorldSBK next year but \u201cnothing is closed yet\u201d<\/li>\n<li>One rider\u2019s WorldSBK struggles pinned on Yamaha: \u2018We have to give him a better package\u2019<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/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=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341092_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341092_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341092_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341092_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341092_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341092_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341092_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341092_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341092_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Andrea Locatelli, 2026 French WorldSBK, pit box. Credit: Gold and Goose.<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0Gold &amp; Goose<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Yamaha Motor Europe road racing sporting manager Niccolo Canepa spoke to the WorldSBK world feed broadcast during FP1 at Magny-Cours about the change, saying Nava had taken on a broader role in Yamaha\u2019s WorldSBK project while the hope was for the change of crew chief in Locatelli\u2019s side of the garage to bring back some lost confidence.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWe cannot hide it: the performance this year has been lower than the expectations for Loka [Andrea Locatelli], so we needed a bit of a reset to try to help him to regain the confidence,\u201d said Canepa.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI think to reshuffle a bit the people inside the garage could be a positive thing.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cGiulio [Nava] is actually helping us with all four bikes as a performance analyst. I think with his experience and this general overview of the bike he can be really helpful for us to support all four bikes.\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<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI\u2019m confident that this is the right move to help Loka to regain the confidence and to support better Yamaha.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Andrea Locatelli has a new crew chief at the factory Yamaha team from this weekend at Magny-Cours, which Yamaha boss Niccolo Canepa hopes will help him to recover some confidence.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Locatelli became a WorldSBK race winner for the first time in 2025, taking victory in Race 2 at Assen, but in 2026 has not yet visited the podium and has a best result of only sixth this year, that coming back at Assen in Race 1 of the Dutch Round.<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/andrea-locatelli-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-07733.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/andrea-locatelli-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-07733.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/andrea-locatelli-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-07733.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/andrea-locatelli-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-07733.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/andrea-locatelli-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-07733.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/andrea-locatelli-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-07733.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/andrea-locatelli-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-07733.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/andrea-locatelli-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-07733.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/andrea-locatelli-2026-donington-park-worldsbk-07733.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Andrea Locatelli, 2026 UK WorldSBK. Credit: Tony Goldsmith.<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The Italian has changed crew chief for this season; after two years with Tom O\u2019Kane (who moved to other side of the garage to work with Xavi Vierge) he\u2019d taken on Giulio Nava who moved over from the Aruba.it Racing Ducati team where he was Alvaro Bautista\u2019s crew chief.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">But the poor results so far this year has prompted a change to be made, and Locatelli now has Emanuele Martielli in his corner at Yamaha.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read Also<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-c6dd031b2ca7103541777419c65f33ef807b0c3c4b84ddba2f69ebfeb2de12f0\">\n<div class=\"item-list\">\n<ul>\n<li>Xavi Vierge \u201cwill stay\u201d in WorldSBK next year but \u201cnothing is closed yet\u201d<\/li>\n<li>One rider\u2019s WorldSBK struggles pinned on Yamaha: \u2018We have to give him a better package\u2019<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/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=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341092_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341092_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341092_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341092_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341092_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341092_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341092_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341092_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341092_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Andrea Locatelli, 2026 French WorldSBK, pit box. Credit: Gold and Goose.<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0Gold &amp; Goose<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Yamaha Motor Europe road racing sporting manager Niccolo Canepa spoke to the WorldSBK world feed broadcast during FP1 at Magny-Cours about the change, saying Nava had taken on a broader role in Yamaha\u2019s WorldSBK project while the hope was for the change of crew chief in Locatelli\u2019s side of the garage to bring back some lost confidence.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWe cannot hide it: the performance this year has been lower than the expectations for Loka [Andrea Locatelli], so we needed a bit of a reset to try to help him to regain the confidence,\u201d said Canepa.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI think to reshuffle a bit the people inside the garage could be a positive thing.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cGiulio [Nava] is actually helping us with all four bikes as a performance analyst. I think with his experience and this general overview of the bike he can be really helpful for us to support all four bikes.\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<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI\u2019m confident that this is the right move to help Loka to regain the confidence and to support better Yamaha.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/wsbk\/news\/1103576\/1\/new-worldsbk-crew-chief-andrea-locatelli-we-needed-bit-reset&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-09\/gng_1341118_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] New WorldSBK crew chief for Andrea Locatelli: \u201cWe needed a bit of a reset\u201d Yamaha has changed Andrea Locatelli\u2019s WorldSBK crew chief for round nine of 2026 after a disappointing first part of the season. Alex Whitworth 04 Sep 2026 Share Andrea Locatelli, 2026 French WorldSBK, entering pit box. Credit: Gold and [&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-2129186","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\/2129186","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=2129186"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2129186\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2129186"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2129186"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2129186"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}