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Rockstar Makita Yoshimura Suzuki's Ben Spies (Photo: Brian J Nelson) ยป More Photos
Luckily for Ben Spies, his battles with Mat Mladin in AMA Superbike are valued by MotoGP team bosses. In national championships, far from the direct scrutiny of MotoGP eyes, a rider’s value is determined by the perceived level of his rivals. And regardless of the true strength of the other AMA Superbike regulars, the perception in Europe is that Yoshimura Suzuki is the superior team and that Mladin (before Tommy Hayden’s injury) was the only rider other than Spies with truly competitive machinery.
Perception is reality when it comes to placing value on MotoGP prospects.
Paul Denning, director of the Rizla Suzuki MotoGP team, has confirmed two-times AMA Superbike Champion Ben Spies as wild card rider at both US MotoGP rounds, on July 20th at Laguna Seca and September 14th at Indianapolis. But will this be is an audition or a confirmation?
My guess is that, one way or another, Ben Spies will be a fulltime MotoGP rider and either the third or the fourth American in the category in 2009, depending upon whether two-time World Superbike Champion Colin Edwards, rejuvenated over the opening rounds of the current season, signs on for another tour of duty with Yamaha Tech3.
This year, however, the current crop of possible 250 and World Superbike transfers seems weaker, and, unless Edwards, Nicky Hayden, or John Hopkins scores a surprise win in the up-coming Italian GP at Mugello, the United States losing streak in MotoGP will reach 33 -- no wins since Hayden beat Edwards at Assen in June of 2006, two years ago.
Those facts bode well for Spies for two reasons: First, because he clearly has the talent, having at least achieved parity with Mat Mladin in AMA Superbike. Second, because with two US rounds on the MotoGP schedule and a two-year dry spell showing no signs of abating, MotoGP’s commercial interests need a boost from American riders.
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