In his latest blog post, Roberto Locatelli reflects on his first season as Team Manager for Fantic Racing, discusses the special bond with Moto2 World Championship runner-up Aron Canet, and looks ahead to the challenges of 2025.
“Many factors came together this year to deliver the fantastic results achieved by the entire Fantic Racing Moto2 Team,” summarised Roberto Locatelli as he reflects on the 2024 season, which saw Aron Canet secure an impressive second place in the World Championship. The first victory came as early as the second race at the Portuguese GP, followed by three more wins, including a spectacular finale at the Solidarity GP of Barcelona. A total of eight podiums and six pole positions highlighted the consistency and strong synergy within the team.
Getting to know Aron Canet
“We first got to know Aron Canet at the end of 2023 during testing in Valencia—it was the first opportunity to work together. Watching someone on TV gives you an impression, but it is only when you share the garage that you truly get to know them, and that takes time,” Locatelli recalled. “By mid-season, we reached a point where we knew him, and Aron knew Fantic Racing. As Team Manager, I can say that we understood his weaknesses, his convictions, and his tremendous strengths. We supported him in finding something crucial for a world championship campaign: consistency—not just in results but also in the work process. Wrapping up the year in second place was a great achievement. It wasn’t a victory, but it was a satisfying result reflecting the progress we made.”
“At the start of the year, we knew we could be competitive, but we weren’t solid enough. From Silverstone onward, we became more consistent as the team grew closer. Aron was already a strong rider, but every rider needs the right connection with the team to perform at their best. The relationship between a rider and the team is like a marriage—it doesn’t last forever, but we aim to make it as long-lasting and successful as possible,” added the former 125cc World Champion.
Connecting with the rider
With a successful past as a rider himself, Roberto Locatelli has managed to build a strong connection with Aron Canet. “Mistakes can sometimes help, and I see moments of my career reflected in Aron. I feel we share a similar perspective on certain things, though I have also observed this in other riders during my time as a coach with the VR46 team. That experience has helped me better understand certain challenges and assist Aron in overcoming them. This connection led to mutual trust. However, as I have often said in the presence of Jairo Carriles [Canet’s crew chief], Stefano Bedon [Fantic Racing Moto2 Project Manager], and Mariano Roman [Fantic’s Head of Racing], we have only known Aron for six months. Now, we will go for it again, and we are even stronger, determined to continue what we have started but not yet finished.”
Setting the bar high for 2025
“Expectations are higher, of course, but completing the journey we started mid-season won’t be easy. I wouldn’t say we have an advantage because every championship is a new story, but we are confident in our abilities. The championship will kick off in Thailand, where Aron won this year. It won’t be easier for him, but we will try to make it happen again, fighting consistently for podiums with Aron. His exceptional potential allows us to dream big. From Silverstone onward, we were always in the mix, which reminds me a bit of Valentino’s era—rivals would come and go, but he was always there, always in the fight. This season, Aron’s main rivals weren’t always that consistent, from those who moved up to MotoGP, like Aldeguer, and Ogura, who deservedly won the title, to Dixon, Vietti, and Gonzalez, who will remain key competitors in 2025. We are ready to fight for the Moto2 World Championship. We were ready this year too, but we will approach the next season with a different level of confidence,” concluded Locatelli.
