A new record was made on Sunday at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve with Andrea Locatelli (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team) secured his fifth consecutive win, the first rider in FIM Supersport World Championship history to do so; Locatelli setting the record in his first five WorldSSP races across the first three Rounds of the Championship.

After making the move from Moto2™, Locatelli dominated Down Under before the enforced break meant everything was put on hold. When racing did resume at Jerez for WorldSSP, this time including a second race in a weekend, it was like there had not been a break for Locatelli as he continued exactly where he left off.

In the Motul Portuguese Round, Locatelli held off a challenge from Jules Cluzel (GMT94 Yamaha), Corentin Perolari (GMT94 Yamaha) and Isaac Viñales (Kallio Racing) in Race 2; all three riders being ahead of the Italian at some point. Locatelli passed Viñales as the second lap started while he battled his way past Perolari and Cluzel a few laps later.

Andrea Locatelli discussed his record-breaking race, saying: "I never thought I could win the first five races of the season, but we did and that makes me really proud. At the start things didn't go well, so in the first laps I had to push to close the gap with Cluzel. Once I reached him, I followed him, and when he made a small mistake, I took advantage of it to move into the lead. At that point I tried to make my move, aware that I could get away, and that was it. Setting a record gives this day an even sweeter taste and I have to thank the team for providing me a really good bike".

WorldSSP action moves to MotorLand Aragon for another back-to-back race weekend in just a few weeks, where Locatelli will have a chance to equal, and potentially break, more records. Should he win one race, he will join Federico Caricasulo (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team) and Paolo Casoli as the Italian riders with the most victories in WorldSSP history, with six wins, while two victories will mean he jumps ahead of both of his compatriots.

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