Spies gets early Debut on British GP
Thursday, June 19 2008 -- 
Loris Capirossi's broken hand has given the chance for AMA Superbike Champion, Ben Spies, to turn up at Donington Park in the team's colours and on the Rizla Suzuki bike.
Capirossi had crashed out of the race in Catalunya and that led to the team calling up on Spies for an early MotoGP debut. There were possible wild card entries that had been lined up for the Laguna Seca race as well as for the Indianapolis round later in the season. Spies was part of a brief test on the Suzuki GSV-R 800cc prototype in Valencia last year and that was surely a sign of things to come. Spies will be riding ahead of Capirossi at Donington Park and also, he will attend the A-Style TT Assen as standby for Capirossi. Doctors will pass the final verdict on Capirossi before the race starts at Assen.
Spies is eagerly looking forward to his British journey and although he was in a relaxed mood, Spies realises the gravity of the situation and the importance of this run out on the tracks.
"We are jumping in head first," commented Spies. "Nothing has changed, I work out just the same and I am just coming in with an open mind. I have had about 25 laps in total on this bike and that was last year. I have never seen this place before so we have got our work cut out, but I think with this and a 50/50 chance for Assen it will help when I get to Laguna Seca for my home round."
Regarding his expectations this weekend, he added, "It's definitely going to be difficult, but we will try to take things slow and try to represent for the team. It is an honour for me to ride for this team and also to be the person that fills in for Loris because he was a big hero of mine, so it should be fun."
Spies has been considered to be a prime candidate for a permanent seat in the MotoGP competition in 2009. The 23 year old said. "I am hoping for it next year, but there are a lot of good riders out there that are looking for rides. We are talking with Suzuki and hopefully have a pretty good shot, but they have got to see me ride out there first, so we have got to go out and give it to them!"
Loris Capirossi
Loris Capirossi's broken hand has given the chance for AMA Superbike Champion, Ben Spies, to turn up at Donington Park in the team's colours and on the Rizla Suzuki bike.
Capirossi had crashed out of the race in Catalunya and that led to the team calling up on Spies for an early MotoGP debut. There were possible wild card entries that had been lined up for the Laguna Seca race as well as for the Indianapolis round later in the season. Spies was part of a brief test on the Suzuki GSV-R 800cc prototype in Valencia last year and that was surely a sign of things to come. Spies will be riding ahead of Capirossi at Donington Park and also, he will attend the A-Style TT Assen as standby for Capirossi. Doctors will pass the final verdict on Capirossi before the race starts at Assen.
Spies is eagerly looking forward to his British journey and although he was in a relaxed mood, Spies realises the gravity of the situation and the importance of this run out on the tracks.
"We are jumping in head first," commented Spies. "Nothing has changed, I work out just the same and I am just coming in with an open mind. I have had about 25 laps in total on this bike and that was last year. I have never seen this place before so we have got our work cut out, but I think with this and a 50/50 chance for Assen it will help when I get to Laguna Seca for my home round."
Regarding his expectations this weekend, he added, "It's definitely going to be difficult, but we will try to take things slow and try to represent for the team. It is an honour for me to ride for this team and also to be the person that fills in for Loris because he was a big hero of mine, so it should be fun."
Spies has been considered to be a prime candidate for a permanent seat in the MotoGP competition in 2009. The 23 year old said. "I am hoping for it next year, but there are a lot of good riders out there that are looking for rides. We are talking with Suzuki and hopefully have a pretty good shot, but they have got to see me ride out there first, so we have got to go out and give it to them!"
©