Ever since Valentino Rossi signed on with Ducati for the 2011 season, leaving his Fiat Yamaha team, the MotoGP has been shuffling its riders and setting up for next year's competition. One move that was just about a sure thing, was that American rookie Ben Spies would be moving up to the Yamaha factory team to replace Rossi.
Yamaha has just confirmed that the Yamaha Tech 3 rider will move up to the factory team next season.
Spies has had a great rookie season so far. He has earned one podium finish, qualified on the front row of the grid, and as of today, is the highest ranking rookie in MotoGP.
"We're delighted that Ben will join the factory team for next season," said Yamaha Motor Racing MD Lin Jarvis. "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 Hervé 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 was equally excited and grateful for the chance to move up to the factory team.
“I'm especially pleased that Yamaha have recognised the potential in me and given me the opportunity to step up to the factory team so early in my GP career,” said Spies.
“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."
