New WorldSSP Champions BARDAHL Evan Bros. Racing has revealed its first signing for its 2020 defence with the signing of Andrea Locatelli, who becomes the latest rider to make the switch from Moto2.
The Italian outfit dominated the intermediate 600cc series in 2019 with its Yamaha YZF-R6s, the combination of Randy Krummeancher and Federico Caricasulo finishing the season 1-2 in the overall standings respectively after accumulating seven wins from 12 races between them.
However, with Caricasulo graduating to WorldSBK with Yamaha and Krummenacher defecting to MV Agusta after relations broke down with the team over claims it was intentionally ‘slowing him down’, BARDAHL Evan Bros. will enter an all-new rider line-up for the 2020 WorldSSP championship.
Locatelli is its first signing as he swaps a junior career in the grand prix paddock for Supersport, the Italian having accumulated top ten results in Moto2 and a pair of podiums at Moto3 level.
“For me, this is an all-new experience. I am excited, as this is a new opportunity for me, and I join the Evan Bros. Team; it is the best team because they are Champions this year. For sure, I want to make a good job in World Supersport, and I want to start immediately. The objective is to win!”
Another Moto2 rider swaps to WorldSSP for 2020
Locatelli is the third rider to confirm a direct switch to WorldSSP from Moto2 even before the 2019 season for the latter has been concluded.
The Italian follows on from Philipp Ottl – who joins Puccetti Kawasaki – and Steve Odendaal – Ten Kate Yamaha – and will look to emulate the performance of the two ex-Moto2 riders in Krummenacher and Sandro Cortese, who both romped to world championship glory after making the switch.
