Ben Spies should go to World Superbike (not MotoGP)!
Tuesday, June 10th, 2008 at 4:49 pm by rhino
Our Great White American hope, Ben Spies, who is the current two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and points leader during the current season has his sights set on joining a bigger circus, as well he should. And as is typical for such talent, MotoGP is front and center on his radar screen. Apparently, he is scheduled to be the American wildcard rider at the two US rounds (Laguna and Indy) of MotoGP this season. While I’m all for great riders moving up to the premier series, I think Ben would be better served by going WSBK racing for a couple seasons and a couple reasons.
Ben’s alliance with Suzuki is well known. He’s been battling his teammate Mat Mladin for several years now on the totally dominant bikes from Hamamatsu. The Yoshimura team has provided a great rider with a great machine and a great team and the results have been ….. ah …. predictable. The only problem is that if Ben heads for MotoGP, he’ll most likely end up on a Suzuki. Now I’m a dedicated fan of Brand S (I currently own 3) but their MotoGP effort is second rate even on a good raceday. Nothing would be more destructive to Ben’s career than to flounder in MotoGP for a couple years after such national success! Even Ben’s undeniable talent can’t overcome Suzuki’s deficiencies in the premier series.
On the other side of the fence, Suzuki’s competitiveness in World Superbike has remained consistent for the last couple years. Troy Corser won them the championship in 2005 and this year Max Neukirchner has won a couple races and is third in the points chase. Even his teammates Fonsi Nieto and Yukio Kagayama are regularly running with the leaders. If Ben were to sign with Francis Batta’s Alstare Team, he be on a competitive bike from race one. Not only would he have a chance at the Championship, vitually from his first season, but he’d gain valuable experience with the European lifestyle, tracks and traveling without the frustration of running around at the back of the pack. He’s also much more familiar with the feeling of a Superbike rather than a MotoGP prototype.
Sometimes you need to take small steps to reach your highest goal, not one giant step and fall on your face.
One last piece of advice for a future world champion; it’s time for you to tell Mom to stay home!
Rhino
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It seems to be a logical step to WSBK. Hayden did it after a couple of years, some luck, and arguably the best bike. I think Spies has the talent but would lack the hardware in MotoGP.
It would wreck his career no doubt.