Halfway through his rookie season, Ben Spies (Yamaha) lies seventh in points, top non-factory rider, top rookie, and already on the podium with a third place at Silverstone.
You may recall that Kevin Schwantz predicted before the 2010 MotoGP series started that Ben Spies would win at least one race in his rookie campaign. Can he still do it? With the way Jorge Lorenzo is riding, and with Valentino Rossi getting stronger as time passes since his injury, it could be tough. Let us know your thoughts.
The no factory ride for rookies rule sucks, especially for our man Spies. As usual, he’s riding the guts of the tech 3 bike to qualify and finish where he has been which is amazing considering what he has to ride. Compare to Edwards finishes. I’m an Edwards fan also! Next year he WILL give Lorenzo fits!! Hope for another podium finish this year at best w/out a crash by Lorenzo!! Go Ben!!
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Spies has a shot at winning, every time he starts a race, why else would he be out there. That said I believe his best shot for a win this year is next week at the brickyard. Have faith in Ben, he is a fierce competitor…. GO SPIES !!!!!
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His best shot this year is at Indy, but I doubt he’ll win. Maybe 2nd.
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I don’t care if Spies wins a MotoGP race or not. It’s just slightly irritating when people like Kevin Schwantz (whom I truly admire) predict such within a certain time frame. Such a prediction borders on juvenile. Like, “I bet I could do (X) better than you”. Gambling, as a pastime, is surely one of the more useless and sometimes destructive hobbies (though I don’t know if gambling is allowed on MotoGP races).
Then there’s also the competition at this level. Spies is obviously extremely talented. But IMO predicting any rookie winning a race at this level minimizes the talent of the current top level contenders more than raising expectations for Spies. Again, the prediction is bold, it sells print, but is, well, just a bunch of hot air (unless of course it happens).
Some believe Spies’ bike is far less competitive than Rossi’s and Lorenzo’s without one actual physical shred of evidence other than the fact that their apparent favorite (Spies) is slower. The fact is any real difference in the bikes is unknown and unknowable by anyone outside the paddock.
The bike excuse arrives quite late, anyway. Did it occur to no one else that KS knew the nature of Spies’ non-factory ride when he made the (IMO stupid) prediction?
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The only way I could see Ben winning on a non-factory bike, in the dry, would be if they save a fresh engine for the final round, and the factory guys are nursing used engines at the end of the season.
I expect to see some interesting engine strategy play out as the season winds down.
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He has had a fantastic season so far,learning new tracks and keeping it on two wheels and competeing against the best in the world but right now a podium is a major goal and winning is not going to happen this year.Ben has made a taken big leap up in competition this year and is almost in the top group but right now,Lorenzo,Pedrosa,Stoner,and Rossi are just a tick faster.Thse four riders are fast every race and are heavy on the gas as soon as the race starts,you need all the confidence you can muster and have to be spot on with your set up to do what those guys do and Ben is on track to be there with them by next season.He is a special talent and is learning at every race and next year will have full factory equipment and backing and should be a force for some wins.
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I don’t think that he can win a race in the dry.
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I don’t think he’ll manage a win this year – like many have said, he’s not on the right bike this year. But I also think that putting him on a factory bike doesn’t automatically mean he’ll win right away. I definitely think he has the talent, but those 4 guys up front right now are tough to beat.
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If today’s qualifying is any indication, looks like he just might have a shot. There were not “six guys that are even better” out there today.
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NON factory bikes are disadvantaged more than ever before….so barring a major disaster at the pointy end of a race….he has no chance….only 1st year tho….watch for improvement when on Rossi’s bike.
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Put him on a factory Yamaha, Honda or Ducati he wins. He is the next American MotoGP champ. Maybe not next year but some day he will. Great attitude, calm demeanor, isn’t intimidated, likes the pressure etc Typical Texan Quarterback.
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I agree with many above. He doesn’t have the bike to get a win this year. If Rossi goes to Ducati next year, let’s hope Ben gets his ride. He is definitely a top 3 to 5 talent, if he’s got the right machine, he’ll be in the mix next year.
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I doubt it. I think he has climbed as far up the Moto GP ladder as he’s going to this year. I see him circulating around 5th or 6th behind Rossi, Stoner, Lorenzo, Pedrosa and Divisioso, and battling with Hayden for top American, although in the end I think Hayden will finish ahead of him in the standings. Not bad for a rookie year though.
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He does have the skills, but as most seem to notice, the Tech3 Yamaha is a few clicks down from the Factory Yamaha.
Next year, on the Factory team (with, J. Burgess?), he can be an alien and win!
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Too bad there is not a true “IROC” format for bikes. With everyone riding the same machinery, it would come down to rider skill. All thing being equal, I think Ben would do quite well with the likes of Rossi, Lorenzo et al.
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no way no how, maybe if he was on rossi’s bike, but not on his that is for sure
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No way man! It’s common knowledge that factory bikes are far more superior than satellite bikes.
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Yes, I think Spies can win one but only if Lorenzo and Rossi crash or DNF. I think he can definitely get a second place even if both Lorenzo and Rossi finish the race.
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@Bill: He’s already got a name.
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/banter/video-uncovering-secret-ben-spies/
“Elbowz”
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yeah, i know about the elbowz name, but everyone in motogp basically drags everything, I was thinking something with more flair, like “the machine” since thats how i’ve heard him described in his work ethic and determination…
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No
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yup, strategically under supported satellite bikes sadly =’s no wins.
during the ‘06 and ‘07 seasons, even rossi the great couldn’t over come recalcitrant kit. there is a limit.
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Rossi won 5 races in 2006 and 4 races in 2007.
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I think it’s doubtful that Spies will take a win unless it’s because of the top riders crashing out or getting injured. That’s not taking anything away from Ben – he’s been remarkably consistent, and faster than many of the MotoGP veterans. I’m really looking forward to seeing him progress.
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hopefully something will come out of it, unlike his current riding partner, the texas tornado (aka the texas light breeze).
I guess Ben needs a name….
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I think he needs a factory ride to be competitve with the “aliens”.
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Spies could fight for the win on a track he was familiar with and if he was provided factory equipment. Neither of which are likely to happen over the rest of this season…although once the Rossi announcement is made there is a slim chance he could receive some “upgrades.”
-Buddha
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I am a big Spies fan, but with out an incident up front, no. But look out next year! He has the talent and the drive, just needs a factory team.
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Not as long as his team keeps getting the Yamaha “B” engines. As talented as Ben is, the power gap is too great to allow him to live among the aliens.
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He’s as quick a rider as there is. That much is self-evident. Mladin, Haga & Edwards all stare(d) at his tailpipe. None are slouches.
Get him equal equipment – as in factory and not satellite – then yes it’s possible. No way Yamaha gives him enough to be on even ground with Lorenzo and Rossi this year. How embarrassing would it be to have a rookie rider on a customer bike school, out-qualify or just run toe-to-toe with the factory?
Guaranteed – he’ll win. Just unlikely this year.
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Spies could do better with a top line GP bike. Next year he will be in contention on Rossi’s ride. Winning on a Tech3 bike isn’t going to happen.
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unlikely given the competition at the front of the pack but certainly possible. Next year should be more interesting for the series in general with the shake up of players and teams. Spies is a mega talent but so are most of the others in MotoGP.
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Maybe on the box for 3rd again. Too many fast guys out there with the experience. But, a crash at the front involving the faster guys could change that. Never count out lady luck.
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Yes, he is certainly top of the new guys, and I reckon doing extremely well. He is still learning the tyres, the new tracks and the Tech 3 bikes are down a bit too.
My 2c worth, John
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Don’t think so, but it would be great to see!
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Are you kidding? Not a chance … he’s a spectacular rider, but there’s six guys other that are even better. Maybe next year.
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No way.
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I respect Ben alot. Look at how well he does on tracks he has only seen on a Playstation, then a few days of track time, he is further up the board than he should be. I hate to make excusses, but I dont believe his Tech 3 Yamaha is helping him very much……….
I would love to see Ben on the top step, but with his current bike, and he is still very new to most of the tracks, I think it would take a major accident for him to win.
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