Earlier this week, Crash.net asked viewers to vote for where - relative to the other Yamaha riders - newly crowned World Superbike champion Ben Spies will finish on his M1 debut in this weekend's Valencian Grand Prix.

Spies - who finished 14th (Donington), eighth (Laguna Seca) and sixth (Indianapolis, wet) during three MotoGP rides for Rizla Suzuki last season - is riding a fifth Yamaha as a wild-card in the event. He will then join fellow Texan Colin Edwards at Tech 3 Yamaha next season, in place of James Toseland.

For the record Spies, who clinched Yamaha's first WSBK crown at his first attempt by winning 14 of the 28 races this year, has played down expectations for this weekend and beyond - claiming "if I even saw a podium next year it would be a miracle".

Spies will complete his first YZR-M1 laps when Friday free practice at Valencia starts in just under two hours.

The poll results were as follows:


How will Ben Spies fare on his Yamaha MotoGP debut?

42.38% - He will finish ahead of James Toseland.
28.03% - He will finish ahead of both James Toseland and Colin Edwards.
20.50% - He will finish as the last Yamaha rider.
4.72% - He will finish on the podium.
2.35% - He will win the race.
2.02% - He will finish ahead of Colin Edwards.