The countdown to the 2009 World Superbike Championship begins here with the post-season tests getting underway in Portugal - and Crash.net have all the latest pictures.
The move, which will see Spies ride a third Rizla Suzuki GSV-R alongside regulars Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi, has been long rumoured and marks the first step towards the American's planned graduation to grand prix racing in 2009.