Spies signs two-year Yamaha contract
Added on Friday, September 4th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Spies signs two-year Yamaha contract
Ben Spies has ended speculation surrounding his future by signing a two year agreement with Yamaha that will see him remain in the World Superbike Championship next year before moving to MotoGP in 2011.
Spies will ride for Yamaha in the 2010 World Superbike Championship, regardless of whether he wins the rider’s championship this season, before joining the Yamaha satellite team in the 2011 MotoGP championship.
Speculation has surrounded Spies in recent months after a superb season in his debut year in WSB, with many expecting that the American would make the switch to MotoGP with Tech 3 Yamaha should he win the championship at the first time of asking. That speculation has ended however, with Spies happy to remain in WSB for a second stint next season.
“I am very happy to say that I will remain a part of the Yamaha family and will continue in the WSB series for 2010,” said Spies. “This is an exciting period of my racing career and I look forward to even more. Yamaha has been great in the warm welcome that I have received entering the world level and I want to thank them for all they have done, and giving me their trust for a next career step into MotoGP in 2011.”
The decision should now pave the way for Tech 3 Yamaha to make an announcement on their rider line-up, with Colin Edwards and James Toseland both out of contract at the end of the year.
