Liberty Ducati have re-signed French former MotoGP rider Sylvain Guintoli for another year in the World Superbike Champinship which puts an end to speculation he may switch back to the Jack Valentine's Crescent Racing squad.

Leicester-based Guintoli spent one season with the team in British Superbikes before being switched to the Alstare squad in 2010. He signed for the Ducati squad this year and has taken three podiums despite a big crash at the start of the season which broke his leg. Fellow Frenchman Maxine Berger has also signed for the team and was testing at Portimao yesterday where he lapped at 1'43.3s.

"I am very happy to stay in the Effenbert Liberty Racing Team. I felt very good, both from the technical and from the human point of view and now I have developed a very good feeling with the Ducati that suits my riding style well and is giving me great satisfactions. I am very motivated and am sure that next year we will improve. It will be a great season," said Guintoli.