MotoGP: Spies linked to new Yamaha deal

Lots on the table for the young American to consider - either way, Yamaha want to keep hold of the superfast Texan

VISORDOWN'S MOTOGP mole has it on firm authority that Ben Spies has just signed a two-year deal with Yamaha that will see him stay in the WSB Championship for 2010 and then make his move to MotoGP in 2011.

But, according to the reports, it appears that there is a clause in the contract which says that if Spies wins the WSB title this year, or if Jorge Lorenzo leaves Yamaha for the much rumoured HRC offer that is meant to be on the table, then the 24-year-old will make the jump to the Premier class next year instead.

Because of the 'No rookie in a factory team rule' in MotoGP next year that will mean that Spies will be riding the Tech 3 Yamaha rather than the factory Fiat option, but insiders insist that the Tech 3 bike will be virtually identical to Valentino Rossi's machine.

Visordown broke the story of Spies' plans to take up the Tech 3 spot earlier this year, when factory insiders told us of the Yamaha plans to ensure it kept hold of the fast American.