Email a Friend

*Email Addresses (up to 5):

Personal Message:

*Your Name:

*Your Email Address:

Send me a copy of this email

* Indicates a required field

Email addresses will only be used to send this message. They will not be used for promotional purposes. See our Privacy Policy.

Bryan's Blog

Font Size:

Ben Spies Reportedly Headed to MotoGP

Friday, September 18, 2009

Spies scored a big lead from the start of Race 1 setting the lap record on Lap 2. The race was restarted following a crash by Karl Muggeridge on lap five but the Texan powered back toward the front of the pack on the restart.

Ben Spies is deserving of a shot at racing in MotoGP after his impressive performance in World Superbike this year.

The internet is buzzing and reports are flying around that Ben Spies is making the jump to MotoGP. Despite the rhetoric in his contract about ‘foreseeing’ another year competing in World Superbike for the Yamaha factory team, it appears that he will join GP vet Colin Edwards on the Monster Energy Yamaha Tech 3 squad. Right now there’s no official announcement, but it’s just a foregone conclusion that the move everybody wanted to see will happen.

Spies has been phenomenal since taking the World Superbike stage. Racing on a new bike on tracks he’s never seen before, the former AMA Superbike champion has won nine poles, 12 races, and has been on the podium 15 times. He took the championship points lead from Noriyuki Haga in the last round at The Ring, and is six races away from claiming the World Superbike title as a rookie. In Motorcycle USA’s exit interview with seven-time American Superbike champion Mat Mladin, Mladin said his most enjoyable years of racing were the ones he competed against the talented Spies (years, ironically, in which he lost the title to Spies).

Official word is expected to be announced at the upcoming Imola round of World Superbike. Hopefully it won’t distract him from his primary goal at the moment – winning the WSBK title.

Speculation as to who will replace Spies in World Superbike fluctuates between a clean swap with current Tech 3 rider James Toseland or promoting World SuperSport points leader Cal Crutchlow to the position. MotoGP rider Chris Vermeulen of the Rizla Suzuki team has been mentioned in the scramble for the WSBK Yamaha factory position as well.

Post Tags: Ben Spies, Yamaha factory rider, World Superbike, MotoGP

Blog Archive

2010: Jan; Feb; Mar; Apr; May; Jun; Jul; Aug; Sep; Oct; Nov; Dec

2009: Jan; Feb; Mar; Apr; May; Jun; Jul; Aug; Sep; Oct; Nov; Dec

2008: Jan; Feb; Mar; Apr; May; Jun; Jul; Aug; Sep; Oct; Nov; Dec

Comments

Superlight - Stoner September 25, 2009 11:19 AM
The reason Stoner won 07 was because he had the best rider/bike combo. He wasn't the best rider he was just the one who gelled the best with his bike. Ducati had arguably the best bike in 07 (first year for 800cc). I say arguably as Stoner is the only one who can do well on it consistently. Capirex had flashes but was often languishing mid pack, Melandri who has won on Hondas and maybe Yamaha (have to check stats) was almost always at the tail end of the field when he was on it. 07 was a bad year for Rossi with his bike breaking and tire failures. You want to know who's better. I site Laguna GP 08. That was a lesson in race craft by Rossi. Stoner low sided on his own in that race. Rossi's never been intimidated by Stoner, in fact I'd say he's more worried about Lorenzo. Before Rossi seemed to enjoy those who could challenge his skill but his upset of Lorenzo staying with Yamaha shows he sees Jorge as a real threat. Though he has still schooled him on race craft a few times/

steve - tires September 19, 2009 03:34 AM
I forgot to mention tires. That's another reason stoner won 07. Ben on good ties will be amazing to watch.

Superlight - Spies September 18, 2009 01:13 PM
The reason Casey Stoner won the title in 2007 is 1), the best bike combined with 2), one of the best riders in MotoGP. Yeah, I respect Rossi, but Stoner has never been very intimidated by The Doctor; in fact, it might be said that Rossi was so intimidated by Stoner in the last MotoGP of 2007 that he low-sided into a turn while he was running by himself. Spies would make Rossi sit up and take notice, that's for sure, especially if they are on identical equipment.

steve - rules September 18, 2009 10:49 AM
I think now would be perfect. Moto GP is cutting cost. Which means cutting the really high tech stuff that makes Moto GP bikes easier to ride. So now it's going to be more about the riders talent then their ability to hold onto a bike while they crank the throttle WFO. That's the only reason casey stoner won the 07 title. He cranks the throttle and lets the electronics do the work. And they're going back to steal brakes. That means the brakes Spies has been using this season. I wouldn't doubt it if he could win his rookie season on an M1.

MV Man - Spies September 18, 2009 10:11 AM
Let's get this party started! I think it's important for Ben to get off production based bikes as soon as possible. He's got the desire, it's time to see if he's got the stuff....I'm betting on Ben!

KT - Motogp September 18, 2009 10:04 AM
Bout freakin time...........

Add a Comment

Your Name:

Title:

Comments: