Ben Spies on a Yamaha in WSB

[Bugnatr]

Spies said during an interview he will make an announcement this Wed. where he is going to be racing.

According to Ralph Sheheen (speed channel announcer) during the AMA Superbike race Spies will ride in World Superbike on a Yamaha next year.

With Haga going to Ducati perhaps Spies will replace him?

Would be great to have a USA rider to cheer for in WSB. So much for Moto GP or is Ralph off the mark?

 

[motorcycle-ed]

Freddie Spencer seems to think it is a done deal...that Spies is going to WSB. Frankly with his big size, I don't think he can do all that well in MGP. With the bikes with less dispacement, I think MGP favors lighter riders. JMHO!

Ed

 

[MotorToad]

I agree this falls under "worst-kept secret," but I'm sure his Yoshi contract has a "don't mention Yamaha" clause. At least it's not as draconian as HRC contracts; IIRC Rossi couldn't make an official announcement until January 2003, or at least wasn't allowed to do any testing.

(I think HRC's willingness to let Hayden talk about going to Ducati is just a measure of how much they've never cared about him.)

 

[snikr]

I watched the MotoGP race on Speed Sunday afternoon and the announcers said Suzuki had passed on Ben racing for them but he had signed with Yamaha for WSB.

Tom

 

[El Toro]

Until the deals are signed, you can't really say much. There is still some speculation that Spies could be at Kawasaki in MotoGP. It might depend on what they do with West.

I agree with motorcycle-ed regarding the smaller riders theory. These guys are looking more and more like jockeys.

Folks probably know this, but there will be a single tire manufacturer in MotoGP next year. Proposals are due Saturday. A decision will be announced on the 15th.

Dovizioso will be taking Hayden's place at Repsol. Another little guy.

Rossi is not a big man, but he towers over Pedrosa and appears to be quite a bit taller than Stoner... although they all look anorexic to me.

 

[tstaff]

The deal is done.

Good luck Ben.

 

[TejasFJR]

Will WSB go back to Miller next year?

 

[El Toro]

The deal is done.Good luck Ben.

The move to Yamaha and World Super Bike is a good one ... I think perhaps even better than riding for Suzuki in Moto GP would have been, and most definitely better than riding for Kawasaki in Moto GP would have been. Best of luck to Ben.

 

[MotorToad]

And he'll likely be able to add one thing to his resume that Mladin never will... "World Champion." It's a hell of a lot more likely than it would have been in GP with the backmarker seats available.