The third worst kept secret of the MotoGP paddock (the first was Stoner in Honda, the second was Rossi in Ducati) has been confirmed by Yamaha, that Ben Spies will replace Valentino Rossi at the factory Yamaha team in 2011.
Spies already had a two year contract with Yamaha Japan at the end of 2009 and an option to ride for the factory team if Jorge Lorenzo or Valentino Rossi were to leave the team and with Rossi going to Ducati in 2011, the Texas Terror with his current seventh place in the world championship and the only privateer rider and a rookie at that, to stand on the podium (Silverstone) so far this year will be making the big switch.
Read the press release after the jump and take note of the phrase ‘my mechanics’ (crewchief Tom Houseworth and Greg Wood who followed Spies through the AMA, WSBK and in Tech3) that Spies mentions and which could mean that at least two of Rossi’s crew is making the jump to Ducati with him and we expect that Jorge Lorenzo, who is still playing coy saying”For my side, I still haven’t signed with Yamaha, but we all hope that it comes very soon.
” will probably be announced at the Motorland Aragon GP in Spain next month.
Yamaha Factory Racing Team Press ReleaseIndianapolis, USAFriday 27th August 2010BEN SPIES TO JOIN FACTORY YAMAHA TEAM FOR 2011Yamaha Motor Co.
, Ltd is delighted to announce that current Yamaha Tech 3 rider Ben Spies will move to the Factory Team for the 2011 MotoGP season.
The 26-year-old American, who won the World Superbike Championship with Yamaha in 2009, is enjoying an impressive first season in MotoGP.
He is currently the leading rookie and the top satellite rider, lying seventh in the championship.
“We’re delighted that Ben will join the Factory Team for next season,” said Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing.
“Ben has shown great promise in his first ten MotoGP races.
He has learnt rapidly and recorded strong results, including a well-deserved podium finish at Silverstone – impressive for someone in their first full season.
“We believe that Ben will be a future title contender and that he will be a good fit with our team.
His mission next year will be to continue learning, consistently challenge for podium places and try to win some races.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Herve Poncharal and the Tech 3 Team for taking care of Ben this season and for giving him such good training for the years ahead.
I hope that he will repay them by getting some more podium results in the second half of this season and helping them to secure top satellite team status at the end of this year.
”Spies added “My first year in MotoGP has been a great learning curve and for that I have to thank Herve Poncharal, all the team at Tech 3 and especially my American mechanics who have stuck by me throughout this great journey so far.
Having previously been to only four of the ten tracks to date, I have to be pleased with where I am and with having achieved my first podium so soon.
I’m especially pleased that Yamaha have recognized the potential in me and given me the opportunity to step up to the Factory Team so early in my GP career.
I believe that by working closely with the Yamaha staff and my mechanics we will be able to help develop the M1 and make the next step of challenging for regular podiums, followed by future championships.
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