The Ben Is Going to MotoGP!

[zooom]

imagine the cowgirls that'll be umbrelling for them at the US GP's next year....LOL..Two-Stepping Texas style...

[gm2]

http://www.motomatters.com/news/2009/10/02/ben_spies_to_ride_as_wild_card_at_valenc.html

[derby]

http://www.motomatters.com/news/2009/10/02/ben_spies_to_ride_as_wild_card_at_valenc.html

bring it!

[derby]

official:

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2009/Spies+to+make+wild+card+appearance+at+Valencia

[derby]

...sponsored by jordan?

http://www.motomatters.com/news/2009/10/03/ben_spies_wildcard_at_valencia_confirmed.html

[Spidey]

...sponsored by jordan?

http://www.motomatters.com/news/2009/10/03/ben_spies_wildcard_at_valencia_confirmed.html

Interesting . . . Yet another shot across the bow of DMG.

[derby]

i have it on good authority that the jordan sponsorship isn't happening.

[gm2]

Hayden: MotoGP a big step for Spies 
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/79314

[gm2]

http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/153303/1/spies_to_get_strong_support_from_yamaha.html

“You know I have always been very proud because two years ago we were with Masao Furusawa [Yamaha racing boss] and he was asked by some journalists 'you have two good teams this year; a good factory team and a good satellite team' and he said 'no, we have four factory riders and four factory bikes'. I was proud of that,” replied Poncharal, when asked about the level of factory support for Spies.

“The last few seasons we have been quite regularly close to the front and, at the end of the day, the engines are sealed - with the new rules - so I have not had the chance to check Valentino's engine, Jorge's engine and my engines. Also, Ben has a [two-year] contract with Yamaha Japan directly and not with Tech 3.

“I think Yamaha will give us really good support, but in details I can't answer you more than that. I am sure Ben will have really good support, the same as Colin and the same as James this year,” concluded Poncharal.

[ducpainter]

Anyone know if his crewchief is going with him in the same capacity, and if so where is the guy that couldn't help JT going?

[gm2]

yes he is and i don't know re jt's guy.  both house and woody, his mechanic, are coming to GP.

[ducpainter]

yes he is and i don't know re jt's guy.  both house and woody, his mechanic, are coming to GP.

While I definitely think having friendly faces around will ease the transition, I'm not so sure that their inexperience with the equipment will be in Bens' favor initially.

Time will tell.

[derby]

While I definitely think having friendly faces around will ease the transition, I'm not so sure that their inexperience with the equipment will be in Bens' favor initially.

Time will tell.

ben over jt @ valencia... any takers? 

[EvilSteve]

ben over jt @ valencia... any takers? 

I'll be you that Ben wins too... wait, that doesn't work.

[Speeddog]

The Ben over Edwards.... now there's a bet. 

(and no, I'm not taking any wagers.)