We already posted the rumors after the WSBK Aragon round earlier this month, that there was a a lot of tension between Sylvain Guintoli and his Effenbert Liberty Racing team and that his pit crew had been axed after the Spanish round and it was unsure if the Frenchman would be at Brno this weekend, and now Guintoli has officially confirmed that he has split with the Italian -Czech team because Liberty has been unable to fullfil their side of the contract (read money).
“Liberty CZ Group had contracted to have Sylvain Guintoli ride for them with the Superbike World Championship 2012.
Liberty have confirmed they are unable to provide a bike for Sylvain Guintoli to race at Brno and potentially in the future.
Due to this and a failure of Liberty to fulfil other key aspects of the contract, there has been no option but for Sylvain to accept that the contract has to be terminated and notice has formally been given to Liberty that the contract is terminated immediately.
Sylvain Guintoli, who had fulfilled all of his obligations is disappointed with Liberty’s difficulties and their inability to provide a bike for him at Brno but is now free to take up other rides with immediate effect.
”This will leave Liberty with just one rider this Czech weekend, Jakub Smrz (it’s his home race) and Maxime Berger, as injured Brett McCormick is expected to make his comeback for the Silverstone round, but there are rumors from the paddock that the rest of the team could skip the round.
Just to add another rumor to the mill, it looks like Liberty Racing is going to dump Ducati next season and are looking at Aprilia or BMW as their weapon of choice in 2013.
Borgo Panigale seems to be having trouble keeping their clients as more rumors are saying that MotoGP teams Pramac and Cardion AB are also going to drop the Italian manufacturer.
UPDATED:Liberty Racing has released their own statement confirming that Sylavin Guintoli has left, but they are placing the blame on a disagreement between the French rider’s pit crew and the management that left him without technical support.
“The Liberty Racing Team would like to inform with regret that despite its will, an unsolvable break born from a misunderstanding between the mechanics and the administrative management of the team, revealed a bitter surprise at the arrival to the Brno Circuit.
In fact several men of the technical crew have decided not to participate to the Czech Republic Grand Prix and to the rest of the championship.
This defection sadly involves the French Rider Sylvain Guintoli who, without the technical support, does not take part to the race that is held in Brno this weekend.
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