This week’s Jerez WorldSBK take a look at (November 26-27) might be Julio Nava’s first alternative to take up his new place within the Pata Yamaha staff alongside Andrea Locatelli after spending a number of years alongside Alvaro Bautista.
Each of Bautista’s World Superbike titles have been received with Nava as crew chief, however the Spaniard’s transfer to Barni in 2026 opens the door for a transfer from Ducati for Nava, who replaces Tom O’Kane as Andrea Locatelli’s crew chief.
Though he was unable to work with Locatelli throughout the Jerez take a look at in October, it has been a take a look at of first impressions for Nava and the rapid influence seems to have been constructive.
“The primary day right here in Jerez was good,” Andrea Locatelli instructed WorldSBK.com after the primary day of the Jerez take a look at in November.
“We began working with our new crew chief, Gilio (Nava), and at the moment it was vital for us to be taught and perceive what we’d like from one another.
“The day went very well so I am very pleased. I attempted just a few totally different set-ups on the bike and I felt fairly assured in a number of the concepts that Giulio (introduced). So, to be trustworthy, at the moment was a superb first day. I used to be fairly proud of each the brand new and used tires, so I am very pleased and fairly constructive (total).”
“Let’s examine (Thursday). Now we have another day. We’ll most likely attempt to push it a bit of bit extra and check out some totally different components of the bike. So let’s have a look at it is a very constructive day.”
Of Nava, Locatelli added: “We communicate the identical language, in order that helps a bit of bit in some areas. However I feel Giulio’s mentality and work system is working very nicely.”
“This can undoubtedly assist us as a result of he is an effective technician.
“I am very proud of the primary day. We did not make any errors and it went nicely. We undoubtedly must make some enhancements, however it was the primary day for each of us, so let’s have a look at what we will do tomorrow.”
“Despite the fact that I had a fairly good race weekend, I used to be operating very well at Jerez, which is often a really troublesome observe for me, so I’m very pleased.”
Locatelli admitted he was initially “uncertain” about a few of Nava’s concepts, however grew in confidence all through the day and finally completed because the quickest rider on Wednesday.
“Actually, I used to be a bit of skeptical about attempting[the set-up changes suggested by Nava]however ultimately the bike felt higher lap after lap, exit after exit,” Locatelli stated.
“Then we confirmed that what we tried at the moment, Giulio’s concepts for the bottom setup of the bike, is working nicely, however we’ll most likely must examine that within the morning (Thursday). Then we’ll deal with different factors.”
Manzi: “One thing goes proper, one thing is just not going proper.”
WorldSSP champion Stefano Manzi spent most of October’s testing getting acquainted with the Yamaha R1 he’ll compete in subsequent 12 months’s World Superbike GRT.
The November take a look at was his first alternative to start out engaged on the bike’s setup.
“The primary day was good. I used to be in a position to do quite a lot of laps on the finish,” Manzi instructed WorldSBK.com.
“I’m glad the climate was good all day. I’m pleased to be again on a superbike after a month and I’m having fun with each lap.”
“Now for this take a look at we’ll begin enjoying round with the bike a bit of bit, as a result of final time we have been simply doing laps. There’s nonetheless quite a lot of work to do for tomorrow.”
“However for now, I am very pleased and glad with my day.”
Manzi elaborated on the set-up adjustments, saying: “We tried one thing new on the rear and tried one thing new electronically.
“It is fascinating to have this (digital adjustment) in comparison with final 12 months’s Supersport. So for me too, it is new and nice to work on this space.”
He added: “I really feel good, I really feel nice, however one thing went proper and one thing went mistaken. Then I did one thing previously and back-to-back with one thing, however I will preserve one thing going (on Thursday).”
