Ducati Monster Forum

We're discussing it here (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=25778.msg523612#msg523612), but this deserves its own thread. The Ben is going to MotoGP (http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2009/Edwards+and+Spies+to+ride+for+Tech+3+in+2010)!

Monster Yamaha Tech 3 have announced that they will field Ben Spies and Colin Edwards in an all-American line-up for the 2010 MotoGP World Championship.

Ben Spies will ride for Monster Yamaha Tech 3 in MotoGP next year following an announcement on the eve of this weekend’s bwin.com Grande Premio de Portugal. Spies is set to form an all-American line-up with the vastly experienced Colin Edwards who has also been confirmed for Herve Poncharal’s Tech 3 team next season.

25-year-old Spies joins the Tech 3 squad with excellent credentials having enjoyed success on board Yamaha machinery in the WSB championship this year, and having won three consecutive U.S. AMA Superbike championships from 2006-08 with Suzuki. He also made three successful MotoGP guest appearances in 2008, including one at the first ever Indianapolis MotoGP race in which he finished sixth.

This brings a phrase to mind...something poignant...what's that phrase...
Oh yeah...

WhOoPtY DoOoOo  [cheeky]

happy, happy, joy, joy.

"i don't think you're happy enough..."

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2819159 (http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2819159)

It will be hard to wait 'till next season.

 [beer]

mitt

especially with that new fangled anti-testing schedule in the off season.   >:(

speed alerts texted me @ 7:25 am EST to tell me.

(http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/chiflado/flag_tennessee.jpg)

(http://blogs.mccombs.utexas.edu/alumni-news/files/2009/02/texas-flag.jpg)

Born in Tennessee.

you think they'll fly a Texas flag outside of their Paddock instead of a USA flag?...LOL

yes, but he claims TN about as much as i claim NC (born there, but don't remember living there).

which flag on the front of his bike?

(http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/2009/writers/tim_tuttle/05/26/Spies/ben-spies.jpg)

[bow_down]
God, I hope so...

some good stuff here:

http://www.soupkast.com/kast/soupkast90.mp3 (http://www.soupkast.com/kast/soupkast90.mp3)

imagine the cowgirls that'll be umbrelling for them at the US GP's next year....LOL..Two-Stepping Texas style...

http://www.motomatters.com/news/2009/10/02/ben_spies_to_ride_as_wild_card_at_valenc.html (http://www.motomatters.com/news/2009/10/02/ben_spies_to_ride_as_wild_card_at_valenc.html)

bring it!

official:

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2009/Spies+to+make+wild+card+appearance+at+Valencia (http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2009/Spies+to+make+wild+card+appearance+at+Valencia)

...sponsored by jordan?

http://www.motomatters.com/news/2009/10/03/ben_spies_wildcard_at_valencia_confirmed.html (http://www.motomatters.com/news/2009/10/03/ben_spies_wildcard_at_valencia_confirmed.html)

Interesting . . . Yet another shot across the bow of DMG.

i have it on good authority that the jordan sponsorship isn't happening.

Hayden: MotoGP a big step for Spies 
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/79314 (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/79314)

http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/153303/1/spies_to_get_strong_support_from_yamaha.html (http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/153303/1/spies_to_get_strong_support_from_yamaha.html)

“You know I have always been very proud because two years ago we were with Masao Furusawa [Yamaha racing boss] and he was asked by some journalists 'you have two good teams this year; a good factory team and a good satellite team' and he said 'no, we have four factory riders and four factory bikes'. I was proud of that,” replied Poncharal, when asked about the level of factory support for Spies.

“The last few seasons we have been quite regularly close to the front and, at the end of the day, the engines are sealed - with the new rules - so I have not had the chance to check Valentino's engine, Jorge's engine and my engines. Also, Ben has a [two-year] contract with Yamaha Japan directly and not with Tech 3.

“I think Yamaha will give us really good support, but in details I can't answer you more than that. I am sure Ben will have really good support, the same as Colin and the same as James this year,” concluded Poncharal.

Anyone know if his crewchief is going with him in the same capacity, and if so where is the guy that couldn't help JT going?

yes he is and i don't know re jt's guy.  both house and woody, his mechanic, are coming to GP.

While I definitely think having friendly faces around will ease the transition, I'm not so sure that their inexperience with the equipment will be in Bens' favor initially.

Time will tell.

ben over jt @ valencia... any takers?  [evil]

I'll be you that Ben wins too... wait, that doesn't work. ;)

The Ben over Edwards.... now there's a bet.  [evil]

(and no, I'm not taking any wagers.)

Panzy!


[laugh]

I've already got a bottle of Makers Mark on the line with Big for Ben fishing the '10 season 4th or higher.
Got to limit my exposure.  [laugh]

I'll bet against that.  Any fanboys wanna take me up on it?

Maybe not at Valencia...this year. ;)

odds? [evil]

you could argue that the same thing could have/should have been true this year*.

 *and woody was only brought in mid-year, after the couple mechanicals.

i'll take that... but we can't bet the same thing you lost on the sbk wins bet  ;)

$25 RRW donation?  It won't come outta my SBK bet donation if I win.  I'm on the hook for that no matter what. 

sounds good :)

Cool.   [thumbsup]  Though you'd think I'd learned my lesson already about betting against The Ben.  That SBK bet wasn't even close. 

ok, the tire situation then was very different at the time but he did beat colin 2 out of 3 times last year...   [popcorn]

I'm more thinking out loud

hush