Ben Spies signs with Ducati Satellight team for 2013

[fjrgary]

Yep, It's true. Superbike Planet reports that Ducati made the announcement today. I was hoping that Ben would be able to stay in MotoGP after he announced he's leaving Yamaha, but i'm not sure about this move. I guess he wanted a challenge. I know Ducati/Audi have big plans to make a competitive bike, but it's not there yet. And the satellight team usually doesn't get the "good stuff" right away, if at all. I hope he can adapt to it as Stoner did on the factory bike back in 2007. I wish him good luck, he needs it this season and he'll need it next season too.

 

[wfooshee]

Better a satellite team with almost current stuff than an independant team with year-old stuff.

When he first announced some weeks ago that he was leaving Yamaha, I jokingly posted on Facebook that he'd be swapping with Rossi. I wasn't too far off!

 

[AVGeek]

Either way, I'm glad to see Ben staying in MotoGP. His talent level needs to be exercised at that level...

 

[fjrgary]

Spies' bad luck continues. He was injured in the very wet and wild Malaysian GP and will miss the Australian GP. It's also possible he will miss the last race of the series in Valencia, Spain and his first test on the Ducati that follows the race. I really hope he doesn't miss his first test on the Ducati because he is going to need all the time he can get on it. Spies on a Ducati will be very strange to see and I wish him good luck and hope he'll be able to adapt to the bike. Not many have.

 

[fjrgary]

Spies' bad luck continues. He was injured in the very wet and wild Malaysian GP and will miss the Australian GP. It's also possible he will miss the last race of the series in Valencia, Spain and his first test on the Ducati that follows the race. I really hope he doesn't miss his first test on the Ducati because he is going to need all the time he can get on it. Spies on a Ducati will be very strange to see and I wish him good luck and hope he'll be able to adapt to the bike. Not many have.

It's been confirmed-Spies out for the rest of the season AND will miss the first test on the Ducati.

DAMN! Not a good start.

 

[clocklaw]

Maybe they can put a decent bike under him....there was no excuse for the Yamaha to blow up at Indy!

 

[AVGeek]

Maybe they can put a decent bike under him....there was no excuse for the Yamaha to blow up at Indy!

Or for the rear suspension to collapse at Laguna!

 

[Bike Effects]

Sure don't know what is going on with Spies this year. He had the "Dream Ride". The Ducati has not been good for many. I think he might have been better off in WSB on a BMW.

 

[BobbyBlue]

I concur brother, but weirder has happened....Agostini on a Yamaha at the time for instance, but maybe those elbows will find their stride...i hope so anyway.

 

[SeattleTy]

I was really hoping for good things for Ben. I hope he stays with it and don't get too discourage, keep going Ben!