Ducati Monster Forum

http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=34340

 :'(

I was hoping to see him in GP this year.

Article doesn't sound real definate one way or the other.  :-\

I would also like to see him in GP over SBK.

Eh.  It changed since I posted it.  They had it as definite originally.  I'll change the title. 

There is also word that Guintoli is up for the spot.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/mcn/2008/September/22-28/sep2308-guintoli-impresses-on-yamaha-wsb-test/?&R=EPI-103084 (http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/mcn/2008/September/22-28/sep2308-guintoli-impresses-on-yamaha-wsb-test/?&R=EPI-103084)

spots.  plural.  corser has been making noise about going elsewhere, possibly BMW.

Corser going to BMW is a pretty solid rumor in fact.

yeap.

ben not going to GP would really be a bummer, but maybe a wsbk->gp path is what he's gotta do.  that bike is really solid now and wsbk racing is always fantastic, so it's not like it would be an actual bummer.. i just wanted to see him on the JiR bike.  or the suzuki really, but they have already basically admitted screwing that up. 

not like a wsbk career is a bad thing, either.  =)

and i wonder how much of this is ben sticking to his guns re $$.  which if it's the case i bet has everyone in a huff, like who does this guy think he is etc, but i wouldn't be the least bit surprised if in a year or two the checkbook guys are lining up.

the current bike is solid. maybe a little down on power, but haga has proven it a race winner.

the only problem with that line of thinking? new r1 for 2009.



ben makes $3m to race for suzuki here. why would he go to a bigger series for less money?

a lot of people think he's being a prima donna about the money. i mean, who's gonna pay some unknown kid $3m to ride in a series he's barely turned a wheel in?

those are the people that don't understand how or why people get paid what they do. racing is marketing. if it wasn't, all those slow guys wouldn't be riding around in motogp and worldsbk.

if spies can generate marketing opportunities for a sponsor, in america or elsewhere, that $3m can be really 'cheap.'

Maybe, but it's sure as hell faster than the Ducati in the straights.


I'm no big fan of Mr Spies, but I say go for the money, although I get the feeling that Ben covets international fame. He's definitely in a bind.
Slow guys in MotoGP and WSBK? Is that sarcasm (I hope)?

not that i said that, but no.

slow in comparison to us?  hell no.

but there's lots of guys riding around in the back of both series that are never going to contend seriously for a championship.  or a podium.  or contend again, as the case may be.  or contend in the series they're in, etc.

I was talking to Derby about this yesterday and the only way this deal makes sense to me is if there is a clause in the contract that guarantees Spies a GP in x years based on y performance.  Honda offered a deal like this to the mole years ago, so I know it's a possibility.  Spies is too good to be stuck in the retirement series at his young age.  He's already proven he can run with the GP guys (even on shitty machinery) and I personally think he's a better rider/racer than Hayden is and he's DEFINITELY better than Hopkins.

The big unknown is what AMA's going to be like next year. The manufacturers bolted, then (sort of) came back, there have been weekly rule changes, etc. So it's not like there isn't risk in sticking around the US for 2009...but it may more of a known quantity for Spies than WSBK.

a known quantity where he's just wrapped up 3 titles in a row.  time to move on.

Been needs to pay his motogp dues

ride a 125 for a weekend

ride a 250 for a weekend

then do the big bikes


I'm Adam Sandler and I approve this message


 [laugh]

That'd be entertaining ;D

Didn't you hear? Superbike riders aren't competitive in MotoGP. [wine]

(http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0bcXgN0d6M6ay/610x.jpg)

this guy says "huh?"

(http://resources.motogp.com/files/images/xx/2005/MotoGP/GBR/non/140222_Troy+Bayliss+Press+Conference+interview.preview_big.jpg)

...and this guy says "yep."

Why is it that when I read this I hear the opening music to 'The Benny Hill Show'?  [laugh]

That would be some good entertainment right there though.  [thumbsup]

T

MotoLiam posted up and said it was confirmed (via Mamola) that Ben signed for Yamaha WSBK for 2009 and is gonna take Colin's spot in 2010.  I know it's third hand, but that's a pretty good source.

http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=266603&page=5

WooHoo, I was actually right about the GP thing!

Good for Ben.  He deserves to be seen on the GP stage and I have no doubt that he can kick Hopper's ass week in and week out.  Which will really piss Hopper off given their history...

http://superbikeplanet.com/2008/Oct/081001b.htm

I like the idea of Spies gonig to Yam, but what happened to Mat Miladin? What truck stop is he being sent to?

you can be sure he's either racing some american series that is close to or better than today in terms of the rules/classification, on a suzuki, or he's going home.

and i bet he may just go home regardless, unless some manu signs someone in the series who can actually race the guy.  he was ready to retire before ben came along.

iirc, mat was already signed for 2009. of course, the language of that contract could be tied to specific formats (1000cc superbike), so who knows whether that contract is valid for next year.

guess who else (http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/wsbk-houseworth-to-join-spies-at-yamaha/) is goin' to wsb yamaha?

will he move forward to motogp?

i just get a blank page (with chrome)?

it's in the URL...

They (speed) must have moved the article.

His crew chief is moving with him.  Yamaha sees the importance of some team consistency.  Similar to Rossi's chief following him from Honda.  

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Truth: about 15 years ago, I got my racebike dynoed at a hole-in-the-wall shop.
By Houseworth.

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