spies to remain in WSB for 2010

2399 Views 39 Replies 16 Participants Last post by jetblack, Sep 10, 2009

scatterbrained

Discussion Starter · Sep 4, 2009

Spies Commits To Yamaha, Will Race In World Superbike In 2010, May Switch To MotoGP In 2011

Sep 04, 2009, ©Copyright 2009, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

From a press release issued by Yamaha:

Yamaha Motor Company., Ltd and Yamaha Motor Europe N.V. are delighted to announce that an agreement has been concluded with Ben Spies for his participation with Yamaha for 2010 and 2011. The program foresees a season in 2010 with the Yamaha World Superbike Team based in Gerno di Lesmo, Italy and a switch to Yamaha's satellite MotoGP team for 2011.

Laurens Klein Koerkamp, Racing Manager Yamaha Motor Europe said, "we got to know Ben this season in our Yamaha World Superbike Team as a very talented, professional and dedicated person with whom we are thrilled to continue working. Not only is the relationship between Ben, the team and Yamaha in general very successful but it's also a pleasure to work with him. This early agreement permits Yamaha and Ben Spies to now fully focus on their 2009 World Superbike campaign in their challenge to achieve their first World Superbike Championship titles together."

Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing added "we are truly excited about the prospect of Ben's arrival into our future MotoGP program. Ben is doing a great job for Yamaha in his first season in the World Superbike Championship. He is in great shape to challenge for the title this year and we will be rooting for him at the remaining four events this season. Ben's primary mission is to win both his and Yamaha's first World Superbike title. After that when Ben eventually makes the move to the MotoGP championship we will be ready for him and, in line with the new MotoGP regulations, we will create a place for him within the Yamaha satellite team and give him the support he needs for his next challenge."

"I am very happy to say that I will remain a part of the Yamaha family," said Ben Spies, "and that I will continue in the WSB series for 2010. This is an exciting period of my racing career and I look forward now even more. Yamaha has been great in the warm welcome that I have received entering the world arena and I want to thank them for all they have done, and for giving me their trust for a next career step into MotoGP in 2011."

This means obviously that Edwards will be keeping his seat and that Spies will definitely be on a YZR-M1 for 2011.

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kneedeepinit

· #4 · Sep 4, 2009

scatterbrained said:
If I'm not mistaken the new "rookie rule" means he'll have to serve his rookie season on a satellite team.

That's correct.

Additionally, I think Spies is making a mistake. He should be in MotoGP right now! Definitely by next season. There's no time to wait. Going to GPs as a rookie at age 26 or 27 is too late! One of the satellite Yamaha MotoGP teams wanted Spies next year. That would provide him with the perfect opportunity to jump to Rossi's seat later. Maybe the money wasn't there?

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kneedeepinit

· #15 · Sep 5, 2009

It seems like only a year ago... oh yeah, it was only a year ago.

He was a replacement rider for Capirossi on Suzuki at last year's British GP, and a wildcard entry for the USGPs at Laguna and Indy.

He qualified 8th and finished 14th at Donington, his first GP. He finished 8th at Laguna and 6th at Indy. Not bad for his first effort on a new bike, tires and team. The Suzuki GSV-R wasn't exactly a huge threat.

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kneedeepinit

· #17 · Sep 5, 2009

PhilB said:
...I think he does have the capacity to do well in MotoGP, but it will be a learning curve. I don't think he will explode out of the box and contend for the championship immediately like he has in WSB.

...

PhilB

That's what most people said about his chances in WSB, too. :cheers

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kneedeepinit

· #19 · Sep 5, 2009

I know, I'm only saying most people on here and most motojournalist pundits felt that he'd need a couple years to learn the tracks and the bike and the tires and the team and the food, culture, travel, etc... before he would be a challenger for WSB championships.

Now, he's broken the all time Pole Position record in his first attempt at tracks he's mostly never seen before. He has 11 out of 20 victories so far.
Win or lose the championship, he's proven he can race there.

Given competitive machinery and a worthy crew, I think Ben's services would be better utilized in GP at the present time. More of a natural talent than Edwards or Hayden, IMHO.

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