Mental reset: Yamaha star rider Andrea Locatelli ready to go on the attack

With four races remaining before the end of the season, Andrea Locatelli must come to terms with the fact that the 2026 Superbike World Championship will be his worst season to date. Since the Italian moved up to the top category with the Yamaha works team in 2021, he has finished fourth, fifth and seventh in the World Championship on three occasions. Currently, however, the 29-year-old is only eleventh in the standings, 83 points behind Bimota rider Alex Lowes, who is the highest-placed non-Ducati rider.

Locatelli has used the break from racing since Donington Park on 12 July to come to terms with his disappointments so far and to line up at Magny-Cours this coming weekend with renewed confidence. “The break from racing has helped me refocus mentally and realign my goals for the final part of the season. I therefore feel strong going into the upcoming races,” assured the 2020 Supersport World Champion. “We’re aware that the season hasn’t been easy so far, but we need to keep working hard and improving. We’re heading to Magny-Cours, a circuit that suits us well.

A year ago, Magny-Cours was a rather mediocre weekend, with finishes of 5th, 12th and 9th. However, this was down to starting from the back row. “I was really quick right up until the crash in Superpole,” explained Loka. “So I’m confident we can put in a decent performance. I’m looking forward to racing again and achieving the best possible results for the rest of the season!”

His team-mate Xavi Vierge is also keen to get back on the track. “I’m absolutely delighted to be racing again,” said the Catalan, visibly relieved. “Magny-Cours is a track I enjoy, and I think it suits us well. After nearly two months off from riding, my priority on Friday is to regain a good feel for my R1 as quickly as possible, adapt to it and build on that to have a strong weekend.”