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Ben Spies is a former American professional Grand Prix motorcycle racer. He was Rookie of the Year in 2010.
A Yamaha factory rider in only his second season in MotoGP in 2011, Ben Spies’ swift adaptation to the World Championship served a very clear notice of the Texan’s talent. Nicknamed ‘Elbowz’ thanks to his unique riding style, Spies accompanies defending World Champion Jorge Lorenzo on the official M1 machine after Yamaha saw him as the ideal choice to occupy the seat vacated by Valentino Rossi, courtesy of a revelatory debut season in 2010.
Having impressed with three wildcard appearances in 2008 with Suzuki, which included sixth place at Indianapolis, Spies opted to tackle World Superbikes with Yamaha in 2009 and took the title at his first attempt. The switch to MotoGP with Hervé Poncharal’s Tech3 team was smooth to say the least as in 2010 Spies scored two podiums, a pole, and the Rookie of the Year title whilst learning his way through a selection of new tracks.
He retired in 2013 after having sustained severe shoulder injuries at free practice in Indianapolis.[1]
Career[]
Spies began professional racing at 15 in 2000. In 2006, he won the AMA Superbike Championship for Yoshimura Suzuki. He moved to World Superbike in 2009, and won the championship in his rookie year, beating runner-up Noriyuki Haga by 6 points. In 2010, for the Tech 3 team, Spies achieved 2 podiums, a pole, and the Rookie of the Year title. In 2011, he moved to factory Yamaha and had his first and only win at Assen, as well as new podiums in Indianapolis and Valencia. Although he remained in the same team for 2012, Spies then joined Pramac in 2013. He then struggled due to shoulder injuries[2][3] and eventually retired in 2013.
Career statistics[]
References[]
- ↑ Ben Spies announces retirement from racing - Motogp.com
- ↑ Fall aggravates shoulder injury for Spies - Motogp.com
- ↑ Spies pulls out of Mugello weekend - Motogp.com
External links[]
- Ben Spies – Profile at the official MotoGP website