MOTOGP » Ben Spies sixth on Tech 3 debut

This man is fast - top rookie!

Go Team Texas! Looking forward to cheering you on next season! Who said superbike racers can't cut it in MotoGP??

"0.519sec under than his best race lap" - set on the "2010 works bike"

It's impressive he's accomplished this with no setting changes, just changes to his riding style.

This is what Yamaha Mgnt had been telling JT. In order to make the transition from wsbk to motogp the rider must adapt to the bike not the bike to the rider.

Since he has already accepted this and is putting it in practice I see no reason why he won't be the 1st to make a smooth transition to the 800cc.

Go Ben! I just hope that this engine rule doesn't ruin a great season for any teams.


It's amazing the times he put on on JT's bike maybe this will silence some of his critics but I doubt it.

I was a bit upset that he did not go to Suzuki as he's the next best thing to Kevin Schwantz (his mentor!!!) but I have to admit the guy is incredibly impressive. WSBK World champion at his 1st attempt! Good and clever race yesterday, good lap times today again. During the race we had Poncharal on French TV and he did mention that Spies was adapting himself to the bike and not trying to go the other way around. Poncharal was full of praise for B. Spies. I guess I'd like him more on a Suzuki but the guy is raw talent!

Ben is the real deal - he didn't really have his elbows out in the GP, so the aliens can look out when he does!

Wait - Ben Spies has critics? O.o

Ahem:

November 5, 2009

"Nice guy, great Superbike racer, may achieve better than Edwrds. But he will in NO WAY be rookie of year next year that is between Simoncelli/Ayoma and possibly Bautista (if he stays on). He had a great year in (no scratch that amazing) superbikes but an 800cc GP bike on BS tyres must be Nothing like a SBK on standard pirelli tyres!!.
IMOP he will be lucky to get a 5th in 10 OR beat edwards. But before the BS fans class me as a hater I like him and wish him the best but these GP's are TOO far removed from a SBK he will need at least 2 years to get close and in the cutthroat land of GP he may not get anymore than that!!"

Posted by Darkwaknight

@mat - no fair using peoples quotes against them!!!

How can you expect him to be able to secretly jump on the bandwagon if you keep confronting him with facts!!

I wouldn't call that "critical." OK, yes, it's technically critical, but for THIS place that's downright lovey-dovey. A Crash.net Critic has to use the word "Loser!" and "Crybaby!" and "Crap for brain" and the like.