Due to winning the 2009 World Superbike Championship, Yamaha Sterligarda rider Ben Spies was recognized this week in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Louie Gohmert, R-Texas.
"Mr. Speaker, here on the floor...of the United States House of Representatives, tribute must be paid to the incredible achievement of a constituent of the First District of Texas, from Longview, he's already a legend, Ben Spies," said said. "Ben Spies is to be congratulated upon his winning the 2009 FIM Superbike World Championship. He has no doubt blazed a trail for future successes with his steady hand, nerves of steel, and balance like nowhere found here in the House of Representatives."
Up against the world's best superbike riders, Spies took a season-record 11 pole positions, won 14 of 28 races, many on tracks he had never seen, and claimed the championship in his rookie year. Before contesting the world championship series, Spies was the U.S. Superbike champion for three consecutive years.
"We were thrilled to be able to bring Spies' achievement to Congressman Gohmert's attention and delighted that he saw fit to honor Spies in this way," said Kathy Van Kleeck, senior vice president, government relations, for the Motorcycle Industry Council. "It is a wonderful commendation for Spies as well as positive recognition for motorcycling and motorcycle racing."
Duane Taylor, MIC director, federal affairs, said, "We would like to thank Representative Gohmert for highlighting this achievement and our sport."
For 2010, Spies will compete in MotoGP racing on the Monster Tech 3 Yamaha team with fellow Texan Colin Edwards. During the second day of pre-season testing at Sepang, Spies rode his Yamaha YZR-M1 to a fifth-fastest lap, with Valentino Rossi having the quickest lap.
