Just two weeks ago, Yamaha announced that they had signed Ben Spies to a two year contract, and that the American would be riding in the WSBK series in 2010 and then make a switch to MotoGP in 2011, however British websites MCN and Visordown are both reporting inside news that Spies has decided to switch to MotoGP already in 2010.
If the rumors are true, Yamaha Tech3 will be fielding an All-American team, with Colin Edwards, the Texas Tornado and Ben Spies, the Texas Terror and now that the cat is supposedly out of the bag, Yamaha may have to make an official announcement during the WSBK round at Imola next week.
This leaves James Toseland with his walking papers, but MCN also reported that Toseland’s manager was at Yamaha headquarters this week trying to get the Brit a contract to replace Spies in Yamaha’s Superbike team, however Massimo Meregalli in this week’s MotoSprint, has said that his sights are still set on Cal Crutchlow as Yamaha has an option on the SuperSport points leader.
Chris Vermeulen and Alex DeAngelis have both been strongly linked to the Yamaha SBK ride, while Toseland has had offers from his old Ten Kate Honda team, from Aprilia and Alstare Suzuki.