Professional motorcycle racing and sports medicine now go hand and hand and World Superbike team Effenbert Liberty Racing had riders Jakub Smrz, Sylvain Guintoli and newly signed Maxime Berger undergo a complete physical at the “Medicina dello Sport degli Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo,” in order to see the athletic, physical, and mental state of their riders and then prepare a specific training program for each of them.

The idea came from the Liberty Group CZs CEO, Mario Bertuccio who said it was his pet project of his: “This is a project to which I am particularly fond of. Infact I can’t deny that everything that I and the team do is based on obtaining the maximum potential, without neglecting any detail, because these details have their importance, and I don’t want to underestimate anything. The Medical Check Up Program has been tailored to the Effenbert Team so we carefully follow the preparation of our riders in the terms of athletic preparation I would like to thank the specialists for supporting us and I also appreciate the availability of our riders. We have confidence in them and they in us, this is the best basis for our interaction together. Our aim is to maintain excellent team work, both on and off the track.”

The three riders underwent a battery of tests under the supervision of doctors Fabio Lorenzelli, Giacomo Poggioli, Professor Matteo Arzuffi and the Effenbert project coordinator Emmanuele Airoli.

“So far our riders have done their training with a methodical but general preparation, and following indications that were certainly adequate, but not specific,” said Arioli. “Obviously this is an good starting point, but our team wanted to do something more for them, that is, to manage their training in a more targeted way and set up to their individual physiological needs. The tests that were performed have given us a general framework. With the support of the medical team and the different findings, each rider can start to work on their particular characteristics which will be reprogrammed in various steps.”

Continue reading: Effenbert Liberty WSBK team gets medical check-up and training programme

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World Superbike team Effenbert Liberty Racing will be expanding their efforts next year and will be fielding three Ducati’s. After previously reconfirming last year’s riders Sylvain Guintoli and Jakub Smrz, the Czech based team will be adding French rider Maxime Berger to their 2012 line-up.

Only 21, Berger is the former 2007 European Superstock 600 champion and two time FIM Cup Superstock 1000 runner-up in 2008 and 2010 and in his debut season with the now defunct Supersonic Ducati team (now Ducati Rome team who will field Niccolò Canepa) finished 16th overall.

Berger tested for the Effenbert Liberty team in October at Portimao and was the fifth fastest rider and was one second adrift from Eugene Laverty (Aprilia) who topped the timesheets during the test.

“I am honored by the confidence that the Effenbert Liberty Racing Team has given welcoming me within their highly professional structure. I know I can count on the all team, with whom I had the pleasure of participating to a private test on the Tuesday following the races in Portimao. I appreciate the welcome that they reserved me and I am very proud to have the possibility to honor the team’s colors in 2012. They can count on my professionalism, my motivation and the desire to honor my commitment to carry the colours as higher as possible. My second season on a Ducati Superbike will be for me the opportunity to fully take advantage of the bike qualities and I have no doubts that the work that we will be undertaking will soon bring its results. Rendezvous for everyone in 2012! “ said Berger.

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World Superbike team Supersonic Racing who fields Maxime Berger, has decided to end their two year experience in the World Superbike championship and will drop out of the series at the end of this season.

Berger who made his WSBK debut this season with the team on a Ducati 1098 R, is currently 17th in the standings and his best result so far has been an 8th place in race 1 at Silverstone, had a two year contract with Supersonic and now will have to look for a new ride for 2012.

Danilo Soncini team owner said:

I’m really sorry to announce our withdrawal. To compete in SBK was my desire, my famous “dream” and passion. A motorcyclist since I was a child, I was pushing until the day to reach this highest level. I can say that I reached one of the goals of my life. I gave a chance to two young guys with a similar dream, Luca and Maxime. They have been with us, stir up the crowds, attracting fans. Some important doors went open for them, also thanks to our efforts and I am very proud of this. I really had a chance to enjoy the true essence of sport, before business and all the other things.

Continue reading: Supersonic Racing to drop out of World Superbike championship

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With Marco Melandri taking his first exciting World Superbike win in race 1 at Donington Park, many may have overlooked the incredible thing that happened to Superbike newbie Maxime Berger, the rear rim shattered and the whole wheel fell off! Fortunately for the Supersonic Ducati rider it happened at low speed or the consequences would have been a lot worse.

Maxime Berger said, “I’m disappointed and incredulous. I never had to stop twice for so two strange reasons. The ring broke and I was lucky because it broke into a slow corner. I found myself on the ground without knowing what happened.”

What happened to Berger brought back memories of what happened to Robert Dunlop during the 1994 TT. Check out the video after the jump.

Continue reading: Maxime Berger loses his wheel in Race 1 (w/video)

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Last Friday evening at the Bobadilla discoteque in the city of Dalmine, World Superbike team Supersonic officially presented Maxime Berger and this new 2011 livery to the attending public, that also included Roberto Locatelli and former Supersonic rider Luca Scassa.

Berger recently completed two days of private testing at the Aragon circuit on his Ducati 1198 and after the team presentation will be heading to Phillip Island on February 21st and 22nd for another two days of official testing before the season opener.

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Not satisfied by the three day SBK test that was held at Portimao that was curtailed by rain two days out of three, Supersonic, Liberty Racing teams and Aprilia test rider Alex Hofmann are currently carrying out another two days of testing at Aragon, before heading to Phillip Island later this month.

Fortunately for the teams it’s not raining, but the temperatures are pretty rigid (check out this Twitpic from Hofmann for proof).

Here’s what Berger and Danilo Soncini team manager had to say about the first day:

Danilo Soncini: “It was very cold today at Motorland Aragon which is undoubtedly one of the most modern circuits in the world. Compared to Portimao we don’t have rain, so the team was able to work better than in Portugal. Maxime Berger was able to become familiar with this circuit, where we will have in June the seventh round of the Superbike World Championship and he has done many kilometres improving his feeling with the bike and with our technicians. Because the low temperatures, Maxime has decided not to risk anything and focused on electronics, tires and set-up from his Ducati. If tomorrow the weather improves we could probably finish the work that we could not finish in Portimao.

Continue reading: Supersonic, Liberty Racing and Aprilia testing at Aragon

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Let’s admit it every time we see # 46 we automatically associate it to Valentino Rossi or # 21 to Troy Bayliss, so a rider’s racing number is not only a trademark or a merchandising gimmick, but it also becomes an emotional attachment that has accompanied a rider during his career and in some cases it’s just plain superstition.

Two riders who will be debuting in the Superbike championship, Eugene Laverty and Maxime Berger are both forced to change their racing numbers in 2011.

Laverty’s #50, which has followed him in the last nine years of his career, is currently being used by Sylvain Guintoli, so the Irishman will be using #58, while Supersonic’s Maxime Berger will have to use #121, as number 21 was retired after Troy Bayliss retired from racing.

Talking about the change Laverty said, “I don’t have an emotional attachment to it, but I do feel it has been very significant in my career so far, and for that reason I am a bit sad to be parting with it. I don’t have a choice, but I did have a choice in choosing my new number, 58. I like it because it’s probably the nearest you can get to 50. I’m sure I’ll go back to it when I get the opportunity. This year Sylvain has it but I’d definitely like to get it back as soon as I can.”

Source | wsbk.com

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Maxime Berger, former Superstock 600 champion and who raced in the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup in the last three years, will officially be debuting in World Superbikes in 2011 with Supersonic Racing, finally got his chance to ride the team’s Ducati 1198 at the Cartagena race track in Spain.

The two day test saw good weather, but low track temperatures and the young French rider was able take full advantage of the weather and test the Ducati twin and traction control for the first time with a best lap of 1.34.1

“I’m really happy to have done these two days of testing at Cartagena. Eager to ride for the first time the bike, which I will ride in next World Superbike Championship and to know my new team.” said Berger. “My impressions are very positive. After riding only a few laps to adjust to the Ducati 1198, I realised that it was easier than expected to find a good feeling with the powerful twin. I had never tried a bike with traction control before but I got used so quickly. In the second day of testing we have done a huge amount of work and I managed a best time of 1′34″1. It was fine to spend the two days with my engineers and I must say that I found a really skilled and motivated team. I am sure that I will give everyone a great time during the season.”

Continue reading: WSBK: Maxime Berger debuts on the Ducati at Cartagena

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Supersonic Racing Team has confirmed a two year deal with 21-year old French rider Maxime Berger for the 2011 and 2012 World Superbike championship.

Berger whose racing background includes the 2007 European Stock 600 championship title and three years in the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup with Honda Ten Kate Junior Racing team.

“Today is an important day for me and my career. I’m really happy to join the Supersonic Team and start my adventure in World Superbike. Since the beginning of my career, Superbike was for me the premier class and the main goal. I will give the best I can and I’m flattered by the attention from Danilo Soncini, he has always shown interest, and believes in me. This is a great stimulus for me,” said Berger. “The contract binds me to the Supersonic Team for two years and it is a very important aspect for me that will allow me to work without too much pressure to be able to adapt to the team and to this demanding category. I want to keep my number 21 also for SBK. A number certainly challenging and I intend to ask permission to Troy Bayliss before using it. It will be a further incentive to do well”.

Continue reading: Supersonic Racing officially confirms 2 year deal with Maxime Berger

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We are sort of worried about next season’s World Superbike grid, that is painfully looking like MotoGP, with some teams cutting back on their budgets and fielding only one rider, but Supersonic, the team which debuted this year with Luca Scassa, has confirmed that they are going to continue their WSBK effort in 2011.

Team manager Danilo Soncini, speaking from the EICMA Show, revealed that Maxime Berger is on the verge of signing with the Italian team so he’ll will be moving from the Superstock 1000 championship after being this year’s runner-up.

“Luca has moved to Supersport but Supersonic, on the other hand, will remain in the top Superbike category, where we will again run one rider” declared Soncini. “I can reveal that we’re going to sign Maxime Berger, we just need to sort out a few details. I am very happy with this two-year agreement because the Frenchman is a sort of protégé of mine and our aim with him is to score our first podium in World Superbike”.

Soncini is going to field a Ducati once again and believes that Ducati’s decision to pull-out their factory team from the series will help the privateers.

“I’m convinced that the Ducati is still the bike to beat and Checa’s form in the final part of the season after the weight changes are clear proof of that. I think that for us private teams, the fact that the Borgo Panigale manufacturer has decided to no longer take part with an internal team is a point in our favour: we will receive some of the material from the factory, and we’ll try and make the best of it, something which could work well for us in view of 2012″.

Source | wsbk.com

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