A super Loka#55 wins on WorldSSP debut in Phillip Island

Couldn’t be better beginning for Andrea Locatelli. The Airohrider, in the saddle of the Evan Bros Team’s Yamaha, won the opening race of the 2020 Championship on the beautiful Australian track of Phillip Island.

The young Airohrider from Bergamo it crossed the finish line with about 6 seconds ahead of the second, his compatriot De Rosa riding the MV Agusta, who preceded the Frenchman Cluzel on Yamaha.

The conquest of Superpole on Saturday, the track record and the fastest lap in the race, can only embellish this great performance.

Andrea Locatelli: "It was a fantastic weekend, which I'm still not realizing. I missed winning, it's a beautiful feeling: the race wasn't easy, both for the track conditions different from the last few days and for the flag to flag obligation, I still have to learn some things but I think I got off to a good start. The package at my disposal was great, we have worked in the best way since the first practice and I felt comfortable in every moment spent on the bike: I want to congratulate the team for all the effort made both in winter and this weekend, we are all very motivated and this pushes us to give our best to live days like these".

In addition to Locatelli's victory, it should also be highlighted the feat of Manuel Gonzalez, Airohrider reigning World Champion of the WorldSSP300, who, also debuting in the middleclass, finished eighth; a result of undoubted value and quality considering the very high level of competitors on the track.

Leon Camier's weekend in the premier class was unlucky; the Englishman is still struggling with the after-effects of the shoulder injury. He took part in the official test and on free practice in preparation of the australian GP but, just before the superpole dispute he had to raise the with flag giving up to join the race for the pain’s resistence.

In the Australian SBK Championship, held alongside the Wsbk in Phillip Island, should be emphasided the excellent third place in race 3 of Tom Edwards, the wild card of Parking Go Team. The Airohrider will take part in the intere WSSP300 within Filippo Rovelli, who finished fift in race 3, a little share of Yanni Shaw.

The next round with the SBK World Championship should have been held in Qatar on the Doha track, the 15th of March, but for securyty reason has been postponed.

SBK World Championship 2020, Round 1 – Phillip Island, Australia

WordSSP

1. Andrea Locatelli (Yamaha)

8. Manuel Gonzalez (Kawasaki)