Locatelli to coordinate Team Junior GP FMI

At 35 years old and with a career on the World Championship stage which has taken in 15 full seasons, Italian rider Roberto Locatelli has decided to stop riding and turn his hand to helping the development of young talent.

Locatelli will take a role as coach and sports coordinator of Team Junior GP FMI, a structure linked to the Italian Motorcycling Federation which works towards training motorcycling hopefuls.

Locatelli, whose 15 seasons on the World Championship stage took in both the 125cc and 250cc categories, won the 2000 title in the eighth-litre class. He also suffered setbacks, with a serious injury at Jerez in 2007 almost ending his career.

“This opens up a new and exciting role as coach and sports coordinator of Team Junior GP FMI, working with young talent,” said Locatelli. “I am grateful to Paolo Sesti (President of the FMI) and Giampiero Sacchi (Piaggio Group) who believe in my passion for motorcycling and appreciate my professionalism.”

“With my technical experience and attitude, I hope to achieve higher competitiveness for riders of the Junior GP FMI on both a national and world stage, and also help them to be disciplined, loyal and fair with all their competitors on the track.”