Maxime Berger was the latest rider to be axed from Effenbert Liberty just before Portimao, for a ‘breach of contract’ dispute – the rider has denied that he breached his contract as his payments have been up-to-date (he is of the many who pays to ride) – however Berger will be able to make in appearance in the last round of the World Superbike season at Magny Cours, his home race.
The 23-year-old from Dijon has been asked by Red Devils Roma team to replace injured Niccolò Canepa in the final round, even though Matteo Baiocco who subbed from Canepa at Portimao was expected to also ride at the French round, but apparently Andrea Petricca decided that it would be better to give the opportunity to the out-of-work Berger.
“I am happy to race the last round of the season with Red Devils Roma.
I am sorry I couldn’t take part in the Portimao round, but I’ll try and make up for that at my home circuit of Magny-Cours in front of my home crowd.
I’d like to thank Andrea Petricca’s squad for the trust he has put in me and I hope to repay him with some good results,” said Berger.
Effenberty Liberty’s axed riders have found replacement rides, Sylvain Guintoli ended up at Pata (but they will be pulling out the championship -with Guintoli tipped for a return to Suzuki) while Jakub Smrz went to British Superbikes with Splitlath Redmond for the Assen round, with a DNF in race 1 and a 15th place in race 2, but he managed a front row start during qualifying.
Red Devils Roma team has already announced that they will field Michel Fabrizio in 2013.