Next year, Ben Spies will be replacing Valentino Rossi on the Fiat Yamaha squad, and today, he got a taste of what the YZR-M1 machine can do. Spies took 36 laps around the Czech Republic track, and was delighted with the potential of the new 2011 prototype. Spies couldn't finish the entire session, because of an afternoon rain, but he did get a good taste of what next year might be like.
Ben Spies: “It was a good day. I can't say too much about the new bike and honestly I'm not sure exactly what I rode. I just got on and rode what was given to me and I didn't set any blistering lap times today but that was not the objective."
"Today was all about giving feedback and getting some data on the new bike. The good thing is that I was pretty much on the pace of the bike I've been riding since February and that is a big positive because we've got plenty of time to work on that bike. We got lots of information so it was a productive day. It was a good weekend with my first front row start and a strong fourth place in the race and after today I'm heading to Indianapolis for another home race full of confidence. I love racing in front of my home fans and hopefully I'll be able to get my best result of the season at Indy.”
