EX-WSBK Rider Maxime Berger Passed Away

The former European Superstock 600 champion Maxime Berger has perished at the age of 28. The French rider was in a coma in the CHU hospital in Dijon since he reportedly tried to take his own life at the beginning of this month. He passed away on Friday unfortunately.

A statement from Berger’s father Alain read: “Following the malice that drove Maxime Berger into a vegetative state for a month, it was with great sadness that I decided, with the agreement of the doctors of the CHU, to let Maxime go. He will soon be at peace. Thank you all for the support you have given. A press release will be issued shortly regarding his funeral.”

Maxime Berger appearance in the World Superbike scenes with a debut in 2011 on a Supersonic Racing Team Ducati and finished 16th in the riders’ standings with a best finish of seventh. The following year he moved to the Effenbert Liberty squad but was dropped mid-season before scoring his best WSBK result, a fourth place on home soil at Magny-Cours.

He then again finished in16th place in the standings despite missing two rounds. Before joining WSBK, Berger was successful in Superstock 1000, as he finished second overall in 2008 and 2010 for the Ten Kate Honda team and scoring seven victories during that time.

His title-winning year came aboard the Team Trasimeno Yamaha in 2007 at the age of 18. Berger also raced in the FIM Endurance World Championship after WSBK.