Change Of Plans: Spies Will Now Join Edwards On Tech 3 Yamaha To Race MotoGP In 2010

Oct 01, 2009, ©Copyright 2009, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

From a press release issued by Yamaha:

Yamaha Motor Company., Ltd herewith confirms that Ben Spies, currently 2nd in the World Superbike Championship, will be moving to the MotoGP Championship in 2010 to join the Tech 3 Yamaha Team. The Texan recently signed a two-year deal with Yamaha, which originally planned for him to remain in World Superbike for one more year before moving to MotoGP in 2011, but Spies and Yamaha together have decided to advance the move by one year. The 25-year-old is currently just three points behind and has just two more World Superbike rounds to contest in his efforts to win his and Yamaha's first World Superbike title.

"I want to thank Yamaha globally for their faith in me," said Spies. "They have treated me like royalty! Yamaha just recently allowed me to rethink my contract for 2010-2011; I did sign for WSB for 2010 but after Indy I began thinking of the competition and my age versus waiting until 2011. This was not an easy decision, the Yamaha World Superbike Team crew and especially Massimo (Maio) Meregalli have been fantastic and it's been great fun to put in a season together. I am hoping that I can give Maio, Laurens Klein Koerkamp and everyone else a championship to remember this year with me. My thanks also extend to ‘Infront', the promoter of the WSB series, especially Paolo Ciabatti. I have enjoyed his series and this first year racing in Europe. Now I have two challenges, to complete this year giving my best and to move towards new goals in MotoGP. Herve Poncharal at Tech 3 is showing his support by allowing me to come on board with my Crew Chief Tom Houseworth and Gregory Wood, my mechanic, who have both been with me since AMA days. We will have learning curves to overcome next year but I am up for the new goal. I hope to have a good year and my goal is to try and stay in the top 6-8 which, given the talented line up, will be a tall order. With the world upside down, there is one constant for me and that's Yamaha."

Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing, said "Following the announcement of Ben's two year deal with Yamaha one month ago, he has reassessed his options and decided that he would like to move to MotoGP sooner rather than later. Yamaha has considered his request and together with Tech 3 we were able to find a way to make it happen. Ben has done a fantastic job in his rookie season in World Superbike and we are very excited to now be welcoming him into our MotoGP program sooner than we originally expected. We believe that Ben will be a fast learner next season and a strong future championship contender. We look forward to working with him in the years ahead."

Laurens Klein Koerkamp of Yamaha Motor Europe commented, "Of course we're sorry to see Ben leave Yamaha's World Superbike program and we are currently enjoying a fantastic season with him, but it's clear that it's the right decision for Ben's career and for Yamaha. One of Yamaha's goals is to bring up future MotoGP talent through Superbike and it is satisfying for us to see that this rider development route is working. Before he moves we still have some serious business to finish with Ben this year at the remaining two rounds!

"Although Ben will be missed I have no doubt that our new World Superbike line-up for next year will see us once again challenging for the title. We will be cheering loudly for Ben in MotoGP and we look forward to seeing him on the YZR-M1."

Change Of Plans: Spies Will Now Join Edwards On Tech 3 Yamaha To Race MotoGP In 2010 News Article // RoadracingWorld.com

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Now we get to see whether that crazy monkey superbike riding style of his can handle the increased lean angles

spies vs. rossi?

cooooooooooooooooooooool

Should be interesting to say the least. I think he will do well either way. He has the natural ability. Moto GP may take a bit longer as the bikes are so different

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about time

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He talks about "back in my AMA days" like they were so long ago...

He did a fill in ride last year with Suzuki and pulled off a 6th place finish on a track he'd never seen. I'm predicting he'll do fine. The question I have is how will Colin handle the inner team competition? Colin has been "the man" on the Tech 3 team, and has finished as the top satellite rider ever since he joined Tech 3 Yamaha. I think Ben Spies will take it to him, and since he's younger, he's hungrier, and may out perform Colin. If Ben is successful, I can't see him staying on a satellite bike beyond 2010.

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Everyone has a game plan when they step into the ring.....until they get hit in the mouth.
-Iron Mike Tyson-

Well that sucks. I think WSK is where its at these days. If Spies can win the champianship in WSB this year he should stay one more year to defend his title before moving on. Oh well I'll go back to rooting for Haga in Superbike next year

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