Ben Spies...one to watch in 2009
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CURRENT AMA Superbike Champ Ben Spies showed the WSB paddock why he'll be a major force to be reckoned with next year, when the former Suzuki pilot clocked the fastest test times at Portimao this week.
Spies and British team-mate Tom Sykes got to try out the 2008 and 2009 Yamaha R1 WSB machines around Portimao in Portugal. Spies clocked a ripping 1:44.0, just a fraction slower than Sunday's race pace. Spies said: “The most important thing for me to do was to learn the Pirellis and Öhlins suspension, and it was my first day for a new bike, new track, new team. Tom is really good to work with. We tried to work through a lot together. The crew, the team, everything is just a great package and I am looking forward to next year.”
Tom Sykes wasn't as quick as his team-mate but still posted a best time of 1:46.0 on the 2008 bike. Afterwards Sykes said:
“The 2008 bike was a little bit different and we got the bike to how I wanted it and then put it to one side. I’m happy how quickly I got to grips with the 2008 bike, and if I had jumped out again after lunch when the track was at its best I could have put my head down and been happy with the outcome.”
