Ben Spies to leave Yamaha MotoGP

Spies announces he will be giving up his seat at Yamaha at the end of the season

Posted: 24 July 2012
by Visordown News

IN a surprise bombshell Ben Spies has revealed that he will be leaving Yamaha at the end of the season.

The American has struggled in his second year in the factory team and his third season in MotoGP, with a best finish of fourth so far. A pale comparison to last year where he scored his first win at Assen and three podium positions.

In an email to Superbikeplanet.com, Spies wrote: "Yesterday I made a comment on Twitter to cause a stir. (Today) I'll be more in saying that I have chosen to leave Yamaha after this season for a litany of reasons.

"I will explain more when I feel it is appropriate. I'm discussing my situation with my sponsors and they are behind me. There are a few people at Yamaha who I hate to leave. And they know who they are. I wish Yamaha the best. I won't make any further comments until the official announcement comes out."

He added on Twitter: "I'm extremely happy to push for the rest of the season to my fans and myself next year starts a new chapter. And yes I'm pumped!"

With Spies' departure from the factory team it leaves Yamaha with one less rider to decide between, the top candidates to join Jorge Lorenzo have been Cal Crutchlow, Andrea Dovizioso and Valentino Rossi.

Where Spies will end up next year is still to be established, but there have been rumours that the 2009 World Superbike champion is looking for a return to that series, possibly on a BMW...



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Discuss this story


Pagik
And we all thought silly season was gonna get a bit quieter. Lets step this up a gear shall we lads....

;)

Posted: 24/07/2012 at 16:22


AKORN
Didn't see this coming

Posted: 24/07/2012 at 16:25


Timpster
Something's gone wrong for Spies this season, he has talent a plenty just for some reason it just ain't happening for him.

Posted: 24/07/2012 at 16:57


R30Paul
So, Dovi for the Factory Ride, and Cal can (try and) stay on the Tech 3...

Posted: 24/07/2012 at 18:37


Billy embleton
Probably the right decision but feel sorry for him as certain other riders have been touting for his job all year.

Posted: 24/07/2012 at 19:05


Anthony DeVincenzo
He is going to go play baseball.

Posted: 24/07/2012 at 19:37


D M Gundlach
Dovi's turn. He's earned a shot.

Posted: 24/07/2012 at 20:26


anonv7
Spies and Hopkins, the 2 Yanks I would have put money on to do well in MotoGP. Bike racing's a funny old game.

Posted: 24/07/2012 at 20:50


evil ken evil
Pagik

you still certain Rossi is staying put ?

Posted: 24/07/2012 at 20:50


Anthony DeVincenzo
Hopkins is way past his best days. That dudes body is broken.

Posted: 25/07/2012 at 00:27


alex noovakkk
his head was not in it !he wants to commit to bycycle racing,see ya!close the door behind ya !!

Posted: 25/07/2012 at 01:51


James Toseland
It's "don't let the door hit you in the arse" , Alex noovakk, you fool !

Posted: 25/07/2012 at 05:07


Rico J
Sad to see him go, but he's maybe a better fit in world superbike. He'll likely be on a competitive BMW next year. Dovi will do great on the Yamaha...

Posted: 25/07/2012 at 05:17


Szmolo
I'm really surprised at this, I'm wondering what he will do next. He can clearly run at the top in GP, so why go to WSBK?

I'm still of the opinion that Dovi doesn't deserve the ride. He had his time on a factory ride and has 1 race win to show for it. I say the ride should go to someone else.

Posted: 25/07/2012 at 08:56


evil ken evil
i think its a wise move for him to return to WSBK

whats the point in him doing something that,

A, doesnt have the skill set to do

B, is never gonna get the right skill set because he didnt come through the right channels

hes quick and can put a couple of fast laps together but he cant do it for 30 laps week in week out like he needs to


on the whole superbike riders dont make motogp riders, how many have tried before and failed ...only a few make it

and before i get slated for stating this by our american cousins who tipped him to spank the world


whats wrong with being a shit hot superbike rider ?

Posted: 25/07/2012 at 09:34


Pagik
Ken, do you know, I really don't know WHAT to think anymore, head says Valentino is staying put, but gut feeling is he might pull something outta the bag. Who knows anymore. I just wish they'd all stop fucking about and get on with it.

I think Ben's had some bad luck, but also bought a bit of it on himself. But, there's NO doubt he's a class act. And as Ken says, nothing wrong with being a shit hot Superbike rider. Just ask Foggy ;)

Posted: 25/07/2012 at 09:59


anonv7
As an "Old School" bike racing fan I can't help thinking there are too many "One Trick" ponies around now, that is, they can only do well in one branch of racing.

There are TT, WSB, BSB, and Moto GP specialist, but take them out of their comfort zone and they're stuffed. I know things are more technically specialised now but a great rider given the opportunity, can give a good performance on almost any bike, after all they still have two wheels and and an engine. Personally I put the blame on big money and the corporate image that tells every rider what not only what they can ride but what to say, think, and dress like. The perfect corporate clone no matter who's wearing the suit and he who pays the piper calls the tune.

Posted: 25/07/2012 at 13:18


Pagik
Good points, apart from the fact that since Moto GP riders have moved to WSBK they dominated the series. And I'm sure Carl Fogarty and Steve Hislop (were he here) would be very interested in your points about how Superbike riders don't go well at the TT...

Posted: 25/07/2012 at 14:38


anonv7
Haga? McGuiness? Brilliant riders...in their field. Sure there are exceptional riders who made the transition from one class to another, but in a different era. Melandri, Biaggi..ex 250 riders on "equal" factory bikes to their team mates? Are Haslam or Laverty really so much slower riders? Even if top class riders now wanted to ride in the TT, which they probably don't, their Lords and Masters wouldn't allow them to. The TT is now nothing more than what was production racing anyway since the factories pulled the prototypes out. Hang on, isn't that the way the 125's and 250's have gone?

Posted: 25/07/2012 at 15:08


Pagik
Haga is still utter class. End of. I tell you who's impressed the crap outta me this year, Josh Brookes. I was slagging him something chronic when he made that god awful move from miles back at (I think) it was Cadwell, but, the more I watch him the more I'm impressed
. He's a proper Superbike rider. the man simply doesn't know the meaning of the phrase "settle for the points". He pushed Shakey all the way at Brands this weekend, and Shakey was very quick.

Posted: 25/07/2012 at 23:45


anonv7
Haga hasn't been the same man since I think it was Fabrizio deliberately robbed him of a win and the world title. A real team player that man...not! Surprised Fabrizio got a ride with any team after that.

Posted: 26/07/2012 at 07:46


Lushman
I wish Ben all the best. I can see him doing great on a factory BMW in World Superbikes. It is a shame to see only 1 american in Motogp.

so here are my prediction for seats next season until the next big thing happens.

Rossi to stay at Ducati,
Carl to get Factory Yamaha
Bautista on the Tech3 bike
Dovi on the San Carlo Honda

IMO I don't think Dovi will get a factory ride as Lorenzo will say he is a to big a threat to his world championship and dovi will not want to play 2nd fiddle to anyone.

Posted: 26/07/2012 at 12:52


Rico J
Where do people think Nicky will end up after the musical chairs is complete? If Rossi stays put and Dovi doesn't get the factory ride he wants so badly, why not see what Haydon can do on the Yamaha? It might be just what he needs to be fighting up front again. I don't necessarily think that will happen, but I'd love to see VR or Nicky on that bike fighting with Lorenzo at the front.

Posted: 26/07/2012 at 18:12

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