Spies says a Top 5 result is there

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (michaelm @ Mar 5 2010, 04:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>The bigger question has usually been what bikes the satellite teams end up with rather than what they start with, but the engine rule may at least partially change this; do the precise six engines have to be specified at the start of the year and can the unused ones be changed at all during the course of the season prior to being brought into use?

Like the end of last year they only get an engine officially numbered as one of the 6 as they need it. Otherwise there would be no development throughout the year. Also what if a manufactures engine design is fatally floored and can't last the distance then they would have no chance to rectify the problem on subsequent engines meaning their whole season is ruined and they may as well not compete.

I think they will all start with 2 engines and then the strategies will be very interesting for the rest of the season. As discussed on another thread.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (michaelm @ Mar 5 2010, 07:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>The bigger question has usually been what bikes the satellite teams end up with rather than what they start with, but the engine rule may at least partially change this; do the precise six engines have to be specified at the start of the year and can the unused ones be changed at all during the course of the season prior to being brought into use?

I suspect Ben will have Satellite bike the same way Rossi had a satellite bike back in 2000. That is, if he impress the big bosses sufficiently.

I didn't read you full post but see now that you raise the same question.
I suspect that the rule changes could mean that this will be a good satellite year.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TP70 @ Mar 5 2010, 08:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Like the end of last year they only get an engine officially numbered as one of the 6 as they need it. Otherwise there would be no development throughout the year. Also what if a manufactures engine design is fatally floored and can't last the distance then they would have no chance to rectify the problem on subsequent engines meaning their whole season is ruined and they may as well not compete.

I think they will all start with 2 engines and then the strategies will be very interesting for the rest of the season. As discussed on another thread.
Thanks for answering my question. So they obviously can develop the engine through the year, but not very many times one would think.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SackWack @ Mar 5 2010, 05:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Can anyone confirm that Ben is on a factory spec bike, or is this just speculation?
Spies is on a satellite spec bike. But the difference is minimal. The days of satellite vs factory are long gone, ironically as a result of cost cutting. Factories can't afford to maintain two different specs of bike. Spies and CEII's bikes will be very close to Lorenzo's and Rossi's, but Rossi and Lorenzo will be testing new parts ahead of Tech 3.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kropotkin @ Mar 5 2010, 05:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Spies is on a satellite spec bike. But the difference is minimal. The days of satellite vs factory are long gone, ironically as a result of cost cutting. Factories can't afford to maintain two different specs of bike. Spies and CEII's bikes will be very close to Lorenzo's and Rossi's, but Rossi and Lorenzo will be testing new parts ahead of Tech 3.
Any rumors of T3 being issued sub-standard electronics?  That would be the easiest way to slow Team Texas by a few tenths.  

I think Spies will finish in the top 5 in the championship this year. He will defiantly podium this year maybe a couple of times and maybe win a race if it is like last year at donnington with Dovi, Collin, and De Puniet on the podium

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kropotkin @ Mar 5 2010, 12:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Spies is on a satellite spec bike. But the difference is minimal. The days of satellite vs factory are long gone, ironically as a result of cost cutting. Factories can't afford to maintain two different specs of bike. Spies and CEII's bikes will be very close to Lorenzo's and Rossi's, but Rossi and Lorenzo will be testing new parts ahead of Tech 3.
..and if they are a demonstrable success they probably won't filter down to Herve until towards the end of the season.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Geonerd @ Mar 5 2010, 10:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Any rumors of T3 being issued sub-standard electronics?  That would be the easiest way to slow Team Texas by a few tenths.  

That's the real question.

I think engine life rules have made the factory and satellite bikes more or less equal. Dorna was paying for the satellite bikes so they wanted them to have longer service intervals. The 09 satellite Hondas had a lower rev limit. Now all Hondas have 3 race service intervals so I don't know that they need multiple engine specifications. Honda have reported that the electronics are different for the satellite teams this year, but I think Spies situation is a bit different.

Poncharal is IRTA pres so the MSMA are probably keen to keep him and his vote in the family. Furthermore, Dorna want the IRTA vote so Ezpeleta is probably giving him a sweet deal as well. Remember when Tech3 showed up with shiny new Yamahas, new Michelin tires, and no title sponsor in 2008?

I think Ben will be well taken care of by Yamaha and Poncharal, but I don't think he can realistically mount a challenge from Tech 3. He needs the factory techs and engineers to be at his beckon call if he wants to keep up with the aliens. If Spies is able to challenge Edwards and keep the aliens in sight, it will be a phenomenal achievement, imo. Don't forget, he has never ridden half the tracks on the calendar!!!!

Never been to:

Jerez
LeMans
Mugello
Catalunya
Sachsenring
San Marino
Estoril
Motegi (well I think 1 testing day on a Suzuki GSRV)

The European rounds are the meat-and-potatoes of the calendar. The aliens have been riding them for a decade or more.

After reading some of the comments above I thought to myself...does the last couple of tenths of a second to bridge the gap to the aliens come from the bike or from the rider?

If it is from the bike then the start of the year will be promising but then if there is a lack of upgrades for T3 then he could find it more difficult to go with the front group as the development/upgrade cycle plays out.

If it is, as I suspect, that the rider that gets the last couple of tenths then if Ben is the real deal which I think looks more likely than not then I think he will close the gap and run consistently in 3rd, 4th or 5th.

Note: Obviously the bike has to be in the ball park to begin with and I assume from testing the T3 Yamaha is a VERY good bike.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Mar 5 2010, 08:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Never been to:

Jerez
LeMans
Mugello
Catalunya
Sachsenring
San Marino
Estoril
Motegi (well I think 1 testing day on a Suzuki GSRV)

The European rounds are the meat-and-potatoes of the calendar. The aliens have been riding them for a decade or more.

Actually he has been to Misano - and he won Race 1. And last year he'd never been to:

Assen (Having done Doni GP, elected not to ride with Suzuki when Capirex was injured)
Monza (although I'd be amazed if Yam Italia hadn't done some winter testing there , being as their workshops practically on the circuit)
Kyalami
Misano
Brno
Nürburgring
Imola
Magny-Cours

All very tricky places for him to learn having not raced there before and he won races at all of them bar Kyalami - (where he was afflicted by technical problems) and Imola.

I would however concede that it's going to be far harder learning a new circuit with a GP bike to set up as opposed to a superbike.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Arrabbiata1 @ Mar 5 2010, 11:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Actually he has been to Misano - and he won Race 1. And last year he'd never been to:

Assen (Having done Doni GP, elected not to ride with Suzuki when Capirex was injured)
Monza (although I'd be amazed if Yam Italia hadn't done some winter testing there , being as their workshops practically on the circuit)
Kyalami
Misano
Brno
Nürburgring
Imola
Magny-Cours

All very tricky places for him to learn having not raced there before and he won races at all of them bar Kyalami - (where he was afflicted by technical problems) and Imola.

I would however concede that it's going to be far harder learning a new circuit with a GP bike to set up as opposed to a superbike.
Last year he had also never been to Losail, Philip Island, Valencia or Portimao AFAIK.

In fact it's quicker to list Donington and Salt Lake City as the only tracks he'd been to at the start of his 2009 WSB campaign. That's 2 out of 14.

This year, having had a year in WSB helps, but still these are the only tracks he has been to: Losail, Laguna, Indy, Brno, Misano, Philip Island and Valencia, ie 7 out of 18.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Arrabbiata1 @ Mar 5 2010, 03:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Actually he has been to Misano - and he won Race 1. And last year he'd never been to:

Assen (Having done Doni GP, elected not to ride with Suzuki when Capirex was injured)
Monza (although I'd be amazed if Yam Italia hadn't done some winter testing there , being as their workshops practically on the circuit)
Kyalami
Misano
Brno
Nürburgring
Imola
Magny-Cours

All very tricky places for him to learn having not raced there before and he won races at all of them bar Kyalami - (where he was afflicted by technical problems) and Imola.

I would however concede that it's going to be far harder learning a new circuit with a GP bike to set up as opposed to a superbike.


Yup, I forgot he won race 1 at Misano. The flag to flag race when Fabrizio did the greatest bike switch of all time.

Spies is definitely a quick learner, but like you, I wonder if the GP shark tank might be a bit too deep for a first time swimmer.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (yamaka46 @ Mar 6 2010, 03:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Last year he had also never been to Losail, Philip Island, Valencia or Portimao AFAIK.

In fact it's quicker to list Donington and Salt Lake City as the only tracks he'd been to at the start of his 2009 WSB campaign. That's 2 out of 14.

This year, having had a year in WSB helps, but still these are the only tracks he has been to: Losail, Laguna, Indy, Brno, Misano, Philip Island and Valencia, ie 7 out of 18.
To be honest Yamaka I forgot about Losail, you're quite right.

He had however ridden the RGV Suzuki around Valencia during a GP post season test day in 2008, and I omitted Philip Island and Portamao because I'm sure that they were on the winter testing schedule.

he is a very promising rider and It Looks like he can get some podiums easily.

the G4 are not going to finish all races in top 4, so if he can stay at this form he has to become the best rookie of the year and i can even see him winning races in this year, if he isn't unlucky.