55

ANDREA LOCATELLI

Another rider to have arrived in WorldSBK from an early career in the Moto3 and Moto2 classes, Loka’ was an astoundingly effective first-time WorldSSP champion for Yamaha in the 2020 season. An immediate promotion to the full works Yamaha WorldSBK team in 2021 saw him finish fourth overall. After a somewhat tough 2024, last year was a landmark one for Locatelli as he equalled his best championship finish of fourth- and he took that elusive first WorldSBK race win at the classic Assen. In his sixth WorldSBK campaign, and with so many legends having moved on or sideways for 2026, this could be his best year yet.

Team Pata Maxus Yamaha Motorcycle Yamaha YZF R1 Date of birth 16 / 10 / 1996

62

Nationality Italy

locatelliandrea55

WorldSBK RIDERS

STEFANO MANZI

Another rider who has carved out a strong career inside the WorldSBK paddock after many years in the MotoGP scene, Stefano got all aspects of his season lined up almost perfectly in 2025, taking a first WorldSSP championship win for him and the all-new Yamaha R9 machine. Manzi has often been heralded as one of the riders who can extract every ounce of performance from whatever machine he is riding, so after two runner-up places on the four-cylinder 600cc R6, the R9 triple and Manzi really got the job done even before the end of the 2025 season. A WorldSBK ride is more than deserved after his great WorldSSP performances.

Team GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team Motorcycle Yamaha YZF R1 Date of birth 29 / 03 / 1999

Nationality Italy

stefanomanzii