Spies To Replace Injured Capirossi at Donington Park?

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Reigning American superbike champion Ben Spies will make his long-anticipated MotoGP debut in the British GP at Donington Park on June 22.

Suzuki is expected to officially announce the deal later this week, but Spies will replace Capirossi, with MCN sources today confirming the 35-year-old would definitely miss the British GP.

The veteran Italian had further medical checks on the broken right hand today that he injured during last Sunday's Catalunya GP when Honda rookie Alex de Angelis wiped him out.

Suzuki had expected to confirm Japanese test rider Nobuatsu Aoki for Capirossi's factory GSV-R ride. In Aoki's testing contract, it says he is the number one replacement should Capirossi or Chris Vermeulen get injured, and he is already in Europe having tested at Catalunya on earlier this week.

But with Spies due to make his MotoGP debut in Laguna Seca next month, Suzuki believe it is an ideal opportunity to draft him in earlier.....

[gm2]

well, it is MCN...

but whisperings of 'maybe some other wildcard rides next year' (in addition to laguna and indy) wouldn't exactly be the first time that's been raised as a possibility.



funny part is that if he listens to Francis Batta he should focus on wsbk.  (good interview otherwise, regardless)

[Grampa]

I would love to see Ben on a gp bike. more sooner, than later.

[Pakhan]

I would love to see Ben on a gp bike. more sooner, than later.

+1

[derby]

well, it is MCN...

true... but motogp.com says it's between him and aoki:

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2008/Capirossi+to+miss+Donington+race

[sqweak]

...and Aoki allegedly has it in his contract that he's the first choice.  I'm sure Suzuki can grease those wheels though.

[derby]

...and Aoki allegedly has it in his contract that he's the first choice.  I'm sure Suzuki can grease those wheels though.

you have suzuki on both ends, who are they gonna grease? 

who would you pick: your test rider that you see ride a gsv-r all the time or the guy you're trying to evaluate for a spot on your factory team?

[ZLTFUL]

As much as I like Ben, I don't think Suzuki has QUITE given up on their season just yet and would still go with whoever is most likely to bring them constructor points. And in this case, that is most likely to be Aoki...

But stranger things have happened...

[derby]

As much as I like Ben, I don't think Suzuki has QUITE given up on their season just yet and would still go with whoever is most likely to bring them constructor points. And in this case, that is most likely to be Aoki...

But stranger things have happened...

so aoki's 13th place finish in malaysia last year really impressed you, huh? 

i mean, other than the fact that it was his best finish in 4 years. 

[gm2]

...and where were ben's times in relation to other riders when he tested at sepang?

[Stucky]

Regardless of Ben's performance, it will be cool to see him out there.

[bdfinally]

Since they're not running a third bike next year, don't see why Suzuki would grease wheels for Spies if Aoki wants the ride. Who are they gonna shuck next year, Capi or Chris V, for Spies to have a seat. 

[derby]

Since they're not running a third bike next year, don't see why Suzuki would grease wheels for Spies if Aoki wants the ride.

you don't? how many times have they seen aoki ride the gsv-r? even when he was full time in the series he was less than stellar. they want to see what spies can do on it.

Who are they gonna shuck next year, Capi or Chris V, for Spies to have a seat. 

well, suzuki has options on both of them for 2009 but doesn't appear to be in a hurry to lock either of 'em down. i've heard rumors that the mole is out of a job.

[sqweak]

you have suzuki on both ends, who are they gonna grease? 

who would you pick: your test rider that you see ride a gsv-r all the time or the guy you're trying to evaluate for a spot on your factory team?

I know it's suzuki on both ends, i meant them greasing aoki with some incentive.  "yeah yeah, that's what it says in your contract.  here's a bonus for services rendered, STFU."

[derby]

confirmed:  http://superbikeplanet.com/2008/Jun/080612a.htm