Team Effenbert Liberty Racing - Phillip Island Testing 2012
Official World Superbike test saw the whole line-up of all top riders of this championship get out on their bikes in last preparation for the actual start of the season 2012 that takes place now in no more than a few days.
The Effenbert Liberty Racing Team worked hard to prepare all three riders with competitive bikes and to gather important data for the entire season. No rain and decent weather conditions, air 24° and track 45°, helped to call this test an overall success.
Jakub Smrž managed to solve some different problems and found a good feeling with the bike. He did many laps finishing 3rd with 1.31.800. “Race tyres are working very well and I’m also very satisfied with the new suspension. The set-up seems to have improved a lot, “he said. Sylvain Guintoli, who is still not feeling 100% due to the virus, had to visit the mobile clinic on several occasions during the test. He is hoping to be back in full shape for the race. Although fighting with an illness, he didn’t call it a day and was out riding to collect some important data. He finished 9th with 1.32. 347. “Physical strength is coming back so I’m hoping everything will be ok for the race. I found a good balance on the bike and we also tried the new engine. It was a lot of hard work and it gave us a lot of information, “said Guintoli. Maxime Berger didn’t fall behind and worked hard to find many improvements. He was struggling in the second split of the circuit but managed to find a good feeling and gather overall confidence.
Sylvain Guintoli - Phillip Island Testing 2012
He finished 15th with 1.32.911. Nicola Manna, the sport director commented in conclusion: “We reached all objectives that we had aimed for. The crew co-operation is outstanding. We know two riders very well and they did a great job. My rider, Maxime Berger, has been very professional and there is still a big potential to improve even further.”
Now the team is ready for a strong start. Riders will fight this weekend for their first championship points, because a good start means confidence and can show a lot of potential. However, the season is long and no one can firmly predict, what is going to happen. That’s why this sport is so fascinating. Everyone is on the countdown for this first 2012 race weekend to start!
