Editor

Round 12 of the Superbike World Championship on his home circuit did not go as expected for Frenchman Maxime Berger. The rider from Dijon, who won the last two editions of the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup at this circuit, was unable to go any higher than 12th place in race 2, after being forced out of race 1 when an electronic component that regulated the gearbox stopped working. Berger chose a softer tyre for the second race, but soon found himself struggling for grip.


"It was a day to forget," said a disappointed Berger. "In race one I had an electronic problem that forced my retirement approximately half of the first round. In the second race, my team solved the problem and I chose to use a gum a little softer. But it was good only for a few laps. At that point the bike became very difficult to ride and I could not help it, so I tried not to fall and to complete at least one race in front of my home crowd. In race 2 however Maxime was soon forced to reduce his pace after a few laps to keep from falling and to finish at least once in front of his audience."


Berger brought home four points from France, but that does not repay the great job he and*the team did over the weekend. With Supersonic Ducati retiring from World Superbike at the end of the year, the young Frenchman now aims to finish the season on a high, in an effort to find a place and remain in the top category next season. "We are now looking forward to the next race in Portimao. The Portuguese circuit is a track that I really like and then I hope to gain good results."



Source: World Superbike

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Kawasaki Racing