Ben Spies interview

[gm2]

originally sorta hidden in this thread, here's a 3-part Q&A session with ben spies while he was hanging out at the Yamaha Champions School @ Miller earlier this month.

taking questions from students and instructors, he's very candid and talks about enough stuff pertaining to himself, motogp, wsbk, electronics, travel, and how to go faster anywhere... thought it should get it's own thread in case you missed it.

pt 1: http://www.onthethrottle.com/content/view/307/1/

pt 2: http://www.onthethrottle.com/content/view/314/1/

pt 3: http://www.onthethrottle.com/content/view/319/1/

[ducpainter]

Thanks gm².

It was well worth the listen. 

[zooom]

INDEED IT WAS!!!....30 minutes I am certainly not regretting having spent and wanting back to do other things...

[DesmoDiva]

Great videos!! 

Thanks for the links. 

[gm2]

loved the little comment re 3 or 4 years of mental warfare with mladin.  =)

oh and (derby pointed this out in the other thread, something i also thought): gee, wonder why he's planning on learning italian in the off-season.  could just be that he's going to keep Como has a home base... or more than that.

[Spidey]

Man, what a good interview.  I kept thinking about it all yesterday.  There's so much good stuff there.

His discussion about how improved electronics dictates the need for lower rider weight is really interesting.  I don't think that's the whole picture though.  He was saying that the grip means that you need to be lighter.  But grip is from the electronics and the improvement in tires.  Either way, interesting.

Good to know his deal about running around on shagged tires.  I guess we shouldn't be watching his free practice times as indicative of anything for the race and/or qualy.

You think his comment about Italian means he's staying??  I figure no matter which paddock he's in, he's gonna need to learn Italian.

[DesmoDiva]

He did mention something about a wifey....

Make Como feel more like home.   

[gm2]

His discussion about how improved electronics dictates the need for lower rider weight is really interesting.  I don't think that's the whole picture though.  He was saying that the grip means that you need to be lighter.  But grip is from the electronics and the improvement in tires.  Either way, interesting.

and also just that the GP bikes have such ridiculous grip, regardless.  remember that he was only barely not the fastest guy at the indy GP test.  on the suzuki, no less.

Good to know his deal about running around on shagged tires.  I guess we shouldn't be watching his free practice times as indicative of anything for the race and/or qualy.

i never really worry when i see 7th or 8th in practice.  one of the things House really drilled him with early on was tire management.. considering tires is such an easy thing to psyche yourself out with, that whole thing is a really interesting conversation.

remember the first couple superpoles.. announcers being SURE that he'd used up his Qs to get whatever time.. and then.. nope!

You think his comment about Italian means he's staying??  I figure no matter which paddock he's in, he's gonna need to learn Italian.

well, his crew chief and at least one of his mechanics are english speakers... he doesn't exactly need to be able to speak italian, outside everyday living.  convenient, sure.. especially if he'll be there for a while.

unless he starts riding like a retard, he can go to GP whenever he wants.  maybe he wants to kill it in wsbk for another year and watch how the engine rule plays out in GP, first.  i'd be a little nervous about that rule. 

[pennyrobber]

You think his comment about Italian means he's staying??  I figure no matter which paddock he's in, he's gonna need to learn Italian.

I think he just wants to be prepared verbally should he have another incident with Fabrizio. 

[Spidey]

I think he just wants to be prepared verbally should he have another incident with Fabrizio. 

If he has another incident with douchebrizio, I don't think there'll be much talking going on.  Guns, knives, breaker bars, biting, scratching and ear-pulling?  Sure.  Talking?  Not so much.

[zooom]

If he has another incident with Fabrizio, I don't think there'll be much talking going on.  Guns, knives, breaker bars, biting, scratching and ear-pulling?  Sure.  Talking?  Not so much.

how bout a good ole fashioned helmet butt instead!..or a Texas Tomahawk chop...

[mitt]

watched them last night.  pretty good information and more truth / honesty than most interviews - refreshing.

mitt

[zooom]

  pretty good information and more truth / honesty than most interviews - refreshing.

mitt

isn't it though!.....kinda wished more of em were like that....

[Spidey]

Did OTT just start this year?  It's had some great stuff this season.  Really interesting.   

[zooom]

no, OTT has been around for a couple few years now, but he has built a good network of contacts and started putting out good stuff...REALLY good stuff.