SPIES STEPS UP

how come silly season is in full swing already ?

this did come from MCN so it may (or may not) be utter bollocks

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<div class='quotemain'>Ben Spies says Suzuki 2009 MotoGP deal is already done
By Matthew Birt

MotoGP

26 July 2007 09:49


Reigning American superbike champion Ben Spies reckons he’s already landed a seat in Suzuki’s factory MotoGP squad for 2009.


The 23-year-old told MCN in Laguna Seca that he plans to do as many as four wild card rides next season in preparation for his ’09 switch.


Ideally Spies wants to switch to MotoGP next season, but that seems unlikely with a planned satellite team run by American legend Kevin Schwantz not materialising with the Japanese factory refusing to run a third GSV-R in 2008.


And with Chris Vermeulen signing a new deal in Laguna Seca and Loris Capirossi expected to join him, Spies admits his factory ride hopes would have to be put on hold.


“I’m signed with American Suzuki for next year and if I did anything next year it would have to be with the Rizla team. And I don’t really know what’s happening next year, but worse case scenario I know I’ll be doing a few wild cards and in’09 going there. 2009 is 100% and next year is kind of 50-50 right now,”said Spies.

Spies has previously been reluctant to quit America but now reckons he’s ready to make the switch.

“I definitely do kind of have the GP drive now and I think I can do it, “said Spies, who has an aversion to flying. “There’s no getting around it. I don’t really like it, but I think when I spend about 400 hours in a plane in a year I’m going to get over that pretty quick. If I want to go try to be the rest or race with those guys I’ve got to do it. And I don’t want to be 35-years-old kicking myself in the teeth because I didn’t go do it. If I get the chance, I got to go.”

Spies could even get a wild card ride in Valencia at the end of this season and he added: “I’d like to do one wild card this year and I’d love to do both American rounds next year and Valencia. I’m kind of itching to get on it. If I don’t get to race the thing next year they want me on it as much as possible. They seem really open and really interested. They want to kind of work me into it.”

I think you miss labeled the title...

Yes, what does this have to do with Mladin?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(antfan @ Jul 26 2007, 11:17 AM) [snapback]81486[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Yes, what does this have to do with Mladin?

It could mean Mladin gets to step up to be the 'much coveted and well respected' AMA champion again...since Spies won't be around to beat him week in and week out....

silly me - i should have know - miladin has no back bone (jk)

stupid me SPIES STEPS UP

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MigsAngel @ Jul 26 2007, 07:26 AM) [snapback]81499[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
It could mean Mladin gets to step up to be the 'much coveted and well respected' AMA champion again...since Spies won't be around to beat him week in and week out....


As bad as you like to think the AMA is,it has produced more GP champions than WSB and BSB combined.The talent is there,we just have a bunch of knuckleheads running the show.They are as dysfunctional as any organization can be.

So Spies reckons he definitely does kind of have the GP drive now? Man he sounds determined.

A good guy with lots of potential but not my first choice. I want someone with experience that can go for the podium. Put him on Swantz's team in 2009 and sign West for 2 years RFN.

Spies would hand WEST his ......

the sooner the better...needs to get out of the minor leages.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gsfan @ Jul 26 2007, 03:19 PM) [snapback]81530[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
A good guy with lots of potential but not my first choice. I want someone with experience that can go for the podium. Put him on Swantz's team in 2009 and sign West for 2 years RFN.



there have already been rumours in the paddock concerning paul dennings future.

Kevin Schwantz could take up the team principals position as early as 08.

You think Spies would be so good. I don't doubt his talent but that is saying a lot.

Denning on the out? I haven't heard such a thing. Would Swantz who never managed a motogp or superbike team be better? Glorious rider but Denning has a great track record. Surely they don't blame him for the lack of podiums.

I've stated in other threads and I'm not denying Spies has talent, but I don't think he will set the world on fire in MotoGP even after learning the tracks. I'd like to see him prove me wrong, but he's a big guy wanting to ride a small bike. Not a good combination at the moment with the current rule set.

Its good that he wants to get out of the US, it remains to be seen how well he will go.

thanks for changing that Ben !

if it is true ? then i'm glad that Spies has taken the plunge. As i've said before, theres nothing wrong with doing a Mladin and staying in your own back yard and riding around the same tracks year in year out but I admire those who have the balls to mix it with the best and see how they fair.

Go Elbows I say.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(chanchan @ Jul 26 2007, 03:54 PM) [snapback]81537[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
there have already been rumours in the paddock concerning paul dennings future.

Kevin Schwantz could take up the team principals position as early as 08.


if they let Denning go it'll be a disgrace. as far as I can see - he's had a huge impact on the team since he got there. i know we've had a change of class but I have no doubt that pauls involvement has had a lot to do with the recent success of the team

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(L8Braker @ Jul 26 2007, 01:15 PM) [snapback]81573[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I've stated in other threads and I'm not denying Spies has talent, but I don't think he will set the world on fire in MotoGP even after learning the tracks. I'd like to see him prove me wrong, but he's a big guy wanting to ride a small bike. Not a good combination at the moment with the current rule set.


His size has been a topic of discussion before when talking Gp.He is at 160lbs which would make him one of the biggest if not the biggest.He would need to lose about 15-20 lbs to make it work.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(povol @ Jul 26 2007, 03:10 PM) [snapback]81624[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
His size has been a topic of discussion before when talking Gp.He is at 160lbs which would make him one of the biggest if not the biggest.He would need to lose about 15-20 lbs to make it work.


OR, he could just beat the piss out of the little fast guys and be done...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gsfan @ Jul 26 2007, 04:36 PM) [snapback]81561[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Denning on the out? I haven't heard such a thing. Would Swantz who never managed a motogp or superbike team be better? Glorious rider but Denning has a great track record. Surely they don't blame him for the lack of podiums.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(baldylocks @ Jul 26 2007, 06:31 PM) [snapback]81593[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
if they let Denning go it'll be a disgrace. as far as I can see - he's had a huge impact on the team since he got there. i know we've had a change of class but I have no doubt that pauls involvement has had a lot to do with the recent success of the team

Maybe it had to do with letting Hopkins get away. Remember reading the post from Hopkins's family friend saying that Hopper and Denning didn't get along and then he quickly deleted his post?

I'm 100% in agreement that Denning has done great work for Suzuki MotoGP but perhaps he is very difficult for riders to deal with.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(xx CURVE xx @ Jul 27 2007, 12:33 AM) [snapback]81532[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Spies would hand WEST his ......

the sooner the better...needs to get out of the minor leages.


I wouldnt be so sure, Ant is just about ready to start beating DePuniet every w.e. Spies would definately struggle for a couple of seasons in order to adapt from his point and shoot SBK style to a smooth and flowing 250/SS style (like Ant allready has.)

I would love to see Vermy and West at Rizla Suzuki for 08/09 then Spies to do some wildcards next year and finally a move to Schwantz Suzuki (nice ring to it?) in 09...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(xx CURVE xx @ Jul 26 2007, 03:33 PM) [snapback]81532[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
...needs to get out of the minor leages.


I think Spieas has been a big fish in little pond for long enough...so he is looking to see if he is as good as he thinks...He might be...we shall see

however, Suzuki does need to make some major developement leaps in the next year to be as good as Yosh is in the AMA...otherwise Speis will end up like Mladin and Duhamel did in early 90s racing in 500s, by going home with his tail between their legs...

Suzuki needs to be as fast in a straight line as the Honda and Yamaka are becoming, and still be as agile as the Yamaha or Suzuki is today to have any chance at being competative in a year or two....but Suzuki has to do this and overtake the Yamaha (Rossi/Lorenzo), Honda (Pedrosa/Hayden/Dovi), and Ducati (Stoner/Melandri)....

I think only Paul Denning can manage that leap. Unfortunately, I think Kevin S will turn the team in to another Foggy Petronas or Team KR. Meaning its all about Kevin (or Foggy or King Kenny) and not enough about the bike and riders....

In short, Spies need to move to MotoGP in 2008 to be with Denning and CV, to learn the tracks, learn the riding style, and co-develop the 2009 Suzuki...otherwise, Spies in my view will have no real shot at winning with Suzuki in MotoGP in 2009 (CV to Gresini in 2009)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(antfan @ Jul 27 2007, 12:17 AM) [snapback]81660[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Spies would definately struggle for a couple of seasons in order to adapt from his point and shoot SBK style to a smooth and flowing 250/SS style (like Ant allready has.)

I've been lurking here for a while and this is my first post. I'm a refugee from the CE forum just like Krusty.

Meanwhile, your point and shoot analysis is off the mark as stated by Stoner in his Speed interview: "I have never been the corner speed rider that everyone thinks I am. Because I come from 250 they say, ‘yeah, he’s a corner speed rider.’ Dani Pedrosa is not a corner speed guy either. He and I were the guys in 250 who picked the bike up early to get out of the corners. The other riders had more corner speed than us but we were faster and we knew how to save our tires so we were there at the end of the race."


This from the guy who's arguably the fastest rider in Motogp commenting on one of the other fastest riders in the class. Where does Ant West stack up in the bigger picture?

My 02.