Spies confirmed at Fiat Yamaha
Added on Friday, August 27th, 2010 by Carole Nash Editor
Spies with Lin Jarvis (L) and Herve Poncheral
Ben Spies has been confirmed as a Fiat Yamaha rider for 2011, filling the seat left vacant by Valentino Rossi.
The World Superbike champion, in his rookie year in MotoGP with the Tech 3 Yamaha team, has signed a one year contract to ride with the Yamaha factory team, meaning that he will partner Jorge Lorenzo next season.
The Texan has impressed in his rookie season, securing a podium at Silverstone on what many consider to be an underperforming Tech 3 bike, and announced his delight at stepping up to the factory team.
“My first year in MotoGP has been a great learning curve and for that I have to thank Herve Poncharal, all the team at Tech 3 and especially my American mechanics who have stuck by me throughout this great journey so far,” he said.
“Having previously been to only four of the ten tracks to date, I have to be pleased with where I am and with having achieved my first podium so soon. I’m especially pleased that Yamaha have recognized the potential in me and given me the opportunity to step up to the Factory Team so early in my GP career. I believe that by working closely with the Yamaha staff and my mechanics we will be able to help develop the M1 and make the next step of challenging for regular podiums, followed by future championships.”
“We’re delighted that Ben will join the Factory Team for next season,” said Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing. “Ben has shown great promise in his first ten MotoGP races. He has learnt rapidly and recorded strong results, including a well-deserved podium finish at Silverstone - impressive for someone in their first full season.
“We believe that Ben will be a future title contender and that he will be a good fit with our team. His mission next year will be to continue learning, consistently challenge for podium places and try to win some races. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Herve Poncharal and the Tech 3 Team for taking care of Ben this season and for giving him such good training for the years ahead. I hope that he will repay them by getting some more podium results in the second half of this season and helping them to secure top satellite team status at the end of this year.”
