Ben Spies on a MOTOGP Ducati?

[BMWST?]

The new rule regarding rookies riding in satellite teams from next year on will probably not apply to Spies as he has had wild-card rides on the Suzuki.

I'm pretty convinced that Hayden has the goods to make the Ducati work for him if he is allowed to change the bike to suit him.

I don't think many of you quite get how sensitive these machines are and how the factories dictate how the bike will be built and set up. Mostly that comes from seeing Rossi get on a bike and make it work, but in the main part that is because the factories build the bike for him and do to it what he and Jeremy B want them to to.

That is among the reasons why he left Honda, cos they stopped doing that. They started saying, this is the engineering solution so you must use it this way. Seems that Honda have not really learned that racing is a human endeavour that includes riders and not just engineers.

Why Suzuki can't find real or perhaps useable horsepower is anyones guess. With the handling of that bike it could be a world beater with the right horsepower.

you have outhought yourself....you say the bikes are sensitive,if you increase horsepower maybe the suzuki wont handle
The yamaha was a pig once too dont forget...seems to be a very fine line between horsepower and handling......
And JT CE etc show that wsb riders are not the cream of the crop.....Moto g is a whole new level!

[discotex]

Spies is not a rookie...has race in motogp before...

The new rule regarding rookies riding in satellite teams from next year on will probably not apply to Spies as he has had wild-card rides on the Suzuki.

I don't think wild cards count guys. Can't be arsed trying to find the rule in the book but...

http://www.motogpmatters.com/opinion...per_tiger.html
"Under the new rule, any rider eligible for Rookie of the Year - that is, any rider who has not previously been entered as a full-time rider at the start of a MotoGP season - will not be allowed to join a factory team in their first year of MotoGP, and will instead have to serve an apprenticeship at a private or satellite team, before stepping up to the very top step of the very top series. "


EDIT: but I did read somewhere that Suzuki are exempt from the rule because they don't have a satellite team.

[k14]

And JT CE etc show that wsb riders are not the cream of the crop.....Moto g is a whole new level!

Well using that logic any ex gp rider going to superbikes would absolutely dominate. I am yet to see that from biaggi (probably the best rider so far to convert), hopkins, nakano, checa, barros, west...

[Benk]

Well using that logic any ex gp rider going to superbikes would absolutely dominate. I am yet to see that from biaggi (probably the best rider so far to convert), hopkins, nakano, checa, barros, west...

On a brand new bike though man, I actually thought he was doing exceptionally well?

[slowpoke]

I can't see the point in Spies staying in Superbikes. Whether he wins the championship or not he's far and away the fastest rider on track, and it's tracks he's never even seen before. WSB use different tracks to MotoGP so unless he's racing purely for enjoyment then he's just wasting time in WSB next year.

[k14]

On a brand new bike though man, I actually thought he was doing exceptionally well?

Yeah he is doing awesome on the Aprillia and is a classy rider but he went onto the suzuki the year after corser dominated on it and wasn't as fast as corser. I think I was just trying to say that both series have incredibly fast riders and no one rider (as of yet) has been good enough by themselves to cross over from one series to the other and dominate straight away. Just shows how much of a team sport motorbike racing is!

[NZsarge]

What about Hayden taking Edwards seat at Tech 3 when he leaves?

[Drew]

How many riders have gotten off a superbike, and done particularly well in GP?

I think Spies is good, but I think he'll do a West if he goes to GP, particularly on the Ducati that nobody but Stoner can master.

[Benk]

Yeah he is doing awesome on the Aprillia and is a classy rider but he went onto the suzuki the year after corser dominated on it and wasn't as fast as corser. I think I was just trying to say that both series have incredibly fast riders and no one rider (as of yet) has been good enough by themselves to cross over from one series to the other and dominate straight away. Just shows how much of a team sport motorbike racing is!

Yup, totally agree

[slowpoke]

Just shows how much of a team sport motorbike racing is!

More than most realise, I think. Look at Bayliss: does averagely in MotoGP, goes back to WSB. Does a one off appearance on a bike he hasn't ridden for a couple of seasons, with his WSB team crewing for him and wins. Amazing.

[svr]

I can't see the point in Spies staying in Superbikes. Whether he wins the championship or not he's far and away the fastest rider on track, and it's tracks he's never even seen before. WSB use different tracks to MotoGP so unless he's racing purely for enjoyment then he's just wasting time in WSB next year.

Thats right - After he wins the championship this year he'd just be stalling his MotoGP development by staying in SBK (although it might be a good `cash - in' opportunity...)

[svr]

Well using that logic any ex gp rider going to superbikes would absolutely dominate. I am yet to see that from biaggi (probably the best rider so far to convert), hopkins, nakano, checa, barros, west...

All those riders were on the way down, or the way out of MotoGP - including Biaggi. The last GP `refugee' still good enough to be up there (but no one would work with him) was Kocinski - and he did dominate SBK.

[Wingnut]

Thats right - After he wins the championship this year he'd just be stalling his MotoGP development by staying in SBK (although it might be a good `cash - in' opportunity...)

If he was in it for the cash, he would have stayed in the AMA. I read somewhere - It was Hodgson I think - saying how there was a significant increase in rider salary going from WSBK to AMA? Sounds a bit odd but I guess he would know.

Regardless - Spies has made no secret of his desire to ride at the GP level. He is a "Competitive Machine" who I doubt would give up till he reaches the top in the top level. I doubt he will struggle to get a ride in GP next year if thats his preference.

[Crasherfromwayback]

How many riders have gotten off a superbike, and done particularly well in GP?

I think Spies is good, but I think he'll do a West if he goes to GP, particularly on the Ducati that nobody but Stoner can master.

Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Revvin Kevin, Wayne Gardner, Mick Doohan...and a Kiwi by the name of Simon Crafar! How's that for starters mate??

[Drew]

Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Revvin Kevin, Wayne Gardner, Mick Doohan...and a Kiwi by the name of Simon Crafar! How's that for starters mate??

Ok then, some real good ones. I wasn't trying to make a point with my question, I have no idea where anyone started out, I dont really pay attention to that stuff.