The Spies story if finally over.
After a couple of weeks of speculation regarding in which Championship series Ben Spies would be really racing for in 2010.
Yamaha has officially announced today that Ben Spies will be moving to MotoGP in 2010 and will be joining the Tech 3 Yamaha Team alongside Colin Edwards who has renewed with Tech 3 for another year.
Ben Spies:“I want to thank Yamaha globally for their faith in me.
They have treated me like royalty! Yamaha just recently allowed me to rethink my contract for 2010-2011; I did sign for WSB for 2010 but after Indy I began thinking of the competition and my age versus waiting until 2011.
This was not an easy decision, the Yamaha World Superbike Team crew and especially Massimo (Maio) Meregalli have been fantastic and it’s been great fun to put in a season together.
I am hoping that I can give Maio, Laurens Klein Koerkamp and everyone else a championship to remember this year with me.
My thanks also extend to ‘Infront’, the promoter of the WSB series, especially Paolo Ciabatti.
I have enjoyed his series and this first year racing in Europe.
Now I have two challenges, to complete this year giving my best and to move towards new goals in MotoGP.
Herve Poncharal at Tech 3 is showing his support by allowing me to come on board with my Crew Chief Tom Houseworth and Gregory Wood, my mechanic, who have both been with me since AMA days.
We will have learning curves to overcome next year but I am up for the new goal.
I hope to have a good year and my goal is to try and stay in the top 6-8 which, given the talented line up, will be a tall order.
With the world upside down, there is one constant for me and that’s Yamaha.
” Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing:“Following the announcement of Ben’s two year deal with Yamaha one month ago, he has reassessed his options and decided that he would like to move to MotoGP sooner rather than later.
Yamaha has considered his request and together with Tech 3 we were able to find a way to make it happen.
Ben has done a fantastic job in his rookie season in World Superbike and we are very excited to now be welcoming him into our MotoGP program sooner than we originally expected.
We believe that Ben will be a fast learner next season and a strong future championship contender.
We look forward to working with him in the years ahead“Laurens Klein Koerkamp of Yamaha Motor Europe : “Of course we’re sorry to see Ben leave Yamaha’s World Superbike program and we are currently enjoying a fantastic season with him, but it’s clear that it’s the right decision for Ben’s career and for Yamaha.
One of Yamaha’s goals is to bring up future MotoGP talent through Superbike and it is satisfying for us to see that this rider development route is working.
Before he moves we still have some serious business to finish with Ben this year at the remaining two rounds!“Although Ben will be missed I have no doubt that our new World Superbike line-up for next year will see us once again challenging for the title.
We will be cheering loudly for Ben in MotoGP and we look forward to seeing him on the YZR-M1.
”Herve Poncharal – Yamaha Tech 3 Team Manager:“I am delighted that Colin will remain with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team in 2010.
He has proved once again in 2009 that he remains one of the world’s best riders and he is a tremendous asset for Tech 3, Yamaha and Monster.
Colin has been an integral part of our recent success and his dedication and impressive performances mean his new contract is thoroughly deserved.
It also gives me great pleasure to welcome Ben to Tech 3.
It’s a very exciting prospect having a rider of Ben’s calibre join our team.
Everybody is aware that he is a rider with i ncredible talent and huge potential, which he has proved with some outstanding performances for Yamaha in World Superbikes this season.
And I have no doubt that together with Tech 3, Yamaha and Monster that Ben will be a big success in 2010 in MotoGP.
Colin and Ben together means Tech 3 will arguably field its strongest ever line-up and everybody in the team can look forward to 2010 with tremendous excitement and optimism.
Finally I would also like to thank James Toseland.
He has been one of the most determined and dedicated riders ever to work with Tech 3.
I have nothing but admiration for James and it has been a privilege working with him.
I wish him all the best for the future.
”