breaking news: Ben Spies announces retirement

[JohnnyV]

http://www.benspies.com/2013/10/26/ben-spies-retires-from-racing/

[LXnastynotch93]

I just saw this on his Facebook page. That's very disappointing, he was one of my favorite riders in the paddock and has a lot of talent. It's sad to see injuries cut a career short.

[pontifex]

I know it says "Ben Spies retires from racing" but the article just talks about not riding for Pramac next year. Hopefully, he will look for a ride in WSBK or even AMA? Seems too soon in his career to call it quits.

[union]

His mom probably told him its time to stop and come home for a nice PB&J sandwich.

[Paul_E_D]

Ducati kills yet another career. Crutchlow HAS to be nervous...

[SVRACER01]

Ducati kills yet another career. Crutchlow HAS to be nervous...

remember when ducati was good?

[scottieducati]

I feel sorry for Ben. Don't forget, he had an awful year and lots of crashes on the yam too. Poor guy has had Zero luck in GP.

[ctbandit]

Sorry but ducati didn't kill his career...

[OreoGaborio]

remember when ducati was good cuz they had Casey?

fixed



Uhg... I was a Spies fan.... hope he goes to WSBK

[R7]

remember when ducati was good?

I don't remember back that far...

[Slowpoke387]

Retire? Isn't he like 12...

[Trackday Guru]

...speechless

[brady]

I expected this, he was just sticking to "I still have a Ducati contract" until they offered him an agreeable ($) way out.

[Degsy]

Wirelessly posted

Beating one good australian and a field of pretenders doesnt make you a motoGP racer.

[pontifex]

Wirelessly posted

Beating one good australian and a field of pretenders doesnt make you a motoGP racer.

How about winning a WSBK Championship?

[Dave603]

Sucks... hope to see him in WSBK as well if he leaves gp

[Degsy]

Wirelessly posted

Wirelessly posted

Beating one good australian and a field of pretenders doesnt make you a motoGP racer.

How about winning a WSBK Championship?

Evidently, not that either.

[OreoGaborio]

Beating one good australian and a field of pretenders doesnt make you a motoGP racer.

What's next? Gonna tell me most motoGP racers aren't really motoGP racers?
Unfortunately, I'd agree w/ ya if you did.

Though I'd agree with you more if you said there just aren't enough aliens on the grid, nor are there enough good bikes for them to ride. I think the budgets just aren't there to support a grid full of talented riders on relatively equal bikes. It's not the premier class that it used to be.

[R7]

It sucks Ben couldn't get a factory honda ride his rookie year, sucks to follow the rules I guess

[CBR929RE]

I feel sorry for Ben. Don't forget, he had an awful year and lots of crashes on the yam too. Poor guy has had Zero luck in GP.

I guess rookie of the year and a factory seat his second year is Zero luck. been a disaster after that though.

[SVRACER01]

Wirelessly posted (GS3)

I was reading an interview with crutchlow in cycle world. He was asked if he could win a championship on a satellite Yamaha. He said Yamaha would never allow it. "Whens the last time you saw a non factory rider win a title...or a race for that matter? "
I couldn't help but chuckle and think..umm spies won a race in '11...on the same bike you're on dipshit.

[CBR929RE]

Wirelessly posted (GS3)

I was reading an interview with crutchlow in cycle world. He was asked if he could win a championship on a satellite Yamaha. He said Yamaha would never allow it. "Whens the last time you saw a non factory rider win a title...or a race for that matter? "
I couldn't help but chuckle and think..umm spies won a race in '11...on the same bike you're on dipshit.

hey dipshit. Spies won that race on the Factory Yamaha not the Tech3 Satellite bike.

[SVRACER01]

Wirelessly posted (GS3)

Wirelessly posted (GS3)

I was reading an interview with crutchlow in cycle world. He was asked if he could win a championship on a satellite Yamaha. He said Yamaha would never allow it. "Whens the last time you saw a non factory rider win a title...or a race for that matter? "
I couldn't help but chuckle and think..umm spies won a race in '11...on the same bike you're on dipshit.

hey dipshit. Spies won that race on the Factory Yamaha not the Tech3 Satellite bike.

I stand corrected. You are right.

[GixerJockey]

Wirelessly posted (GS3)



I stand corrected. You are right.

Nice job Dipshit...


(just wanted to repeat the dipshit part just so I know you read it twice... now, three times)

[odduc]

I think Spies checked out, mentally, before he left Yamaha. He lacked any enthusiasm and didn't seem as if he was trying too hard. I know alot of these guys have that lax attitude, but there was something different about him that made me believe he really didn't want anything to do with the sport. He was just collecting a check sort of attitude. I may be wrong, but it didn't seem as if he was really into it.