No MotoGP for Spies in 2009

[Pookie]

Spies Will Race A Yamaha In 2009 FIM Superbike World Championship News Article // RoadracingWorld.com

[eboos]

You beat me to it.

[cdovego]

Nothing wrong with that.

[Trackday Guru]

Did he jsut take Haga or Corser's place?
I think Yamaha Italia is the team they rode for. If so, this probably means that we'll be hearing of (I'd guess) Haga's signing at Ducati Corsa to take Bayliss' place, or Corser's signing with either BMW or Aprilia (my guesses).

Either way, very cool for Ben.

[Brian675]

Nothing wrong with that.

+1 Better than AMA.

Edit: Isn't Troy Bayliss retiring this year? If so maybe Ducati?

[Mr. Kurtz]

Suzuki is foolish for not bringing him in for a GP ride.

[R-S-V]

Well I was reading somewhere how he was looking for the most $$$, not necessarily the best ride. I guess his mom is his manager?

If its Yamaha Italia its a nice ride ride indeed.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

Did he jsut take Haga or Corser's place?
I think Yamaha Italia is the team they rode for. If so, this probably means that we'll be hearing of (I'd guess) Haga's signing at Ducati Corsa to take Bayliss' place, or Corser's signing with either BMW or Aprilia (my guesses).

Either way, very cool for Ben.

I think Yamaha already hired tom sykes from the British super bike, so I think corser and Haga are both out. strong chatter says Haga may replace Bayliss and corser most likely to BMW. Aprilla will be Biaggi and maybe Alex Hoffman

[Brian675]

Well I was reading somewhere how he was looking for the most $$$, not necessarily the best ride. I guess his mom is his manager?

If its Yamaha Italia its a nice ride ride indeed.

He had stated in a live interview and multiple magazine interviews he would take a pay cut just to get in motoGP. A pay cut from GP is still more money than AMA. He could make up that money in sponsorships.

Edit: I will try to find the magazine for reference. And I do believe his mother is part of his management team.

[Paul_E_D]

Spies and mladin make more than many motoGP guys. AMA is lucrative for the few.

[Brian675]

Spies and mladin make more than many motoGP guys. AMA is lucrative for the few.

Wow. I did not know. I'll try to find some info on that, thanks.

[BMFR6]

I think Yamaha already hired tom sykes from the British super bike, so I think corser and Haga are both out. strong chatter says Haga may replace Bayliss and corser most likely to BMW. Aprilla will be Biaggi and maybe Alex Hoffman

we've been listening to the same rumor mill.

[sv484]

Watching WSBK Sunday they said Haga is getting Bayliss's ride @ Ducati and Biaggi has signed to ride the new V4 Aprilia

[OreoGaborio]

Suzuki is foolish for not bringing him in for a GP ride.

+1 I was hoping to see him in MotoGP, but WSBK is good enough for me

[GixerJockey]

Suzuki is foolish for not bringing him in for a GP ride.

+100000000000000

Spies and mladin make more than many motoGP guys. AMA is lucrative for the few.

Spies stood to lose over a million dollars a year to move to MOTO GP.

[Pittenger5]

Spies stood to lose over a million dollars a year to move to MOTO GP.

So lemme get this here straight. Ben Spies makes a million more in AMA than motogp. But a 5th (or 7th I cant remember) place finisher like Jeff Wood PAYS to race AMA? Something aint right there.

[GixerJockey]

So lemme get this here straight. Ben Spies makes a million more in AMA than motogp. But a 5th (or 7th I cant remember) place finisher like Jeff Wood PAYS to race AMA? Something aint right there.

That's right...


Ben's paycheck is signed by someone who's last name may well be Suzuki...



From what I was told... That paycut would be in salary. Nothing to do with endorsement deals.

[Pittenger5]

I figured that much, but still, just seems a tad off to me.

[GixerJockey]

I figured that much, but still, just seems a tad off to me.

I do understand... but...


Think of it this way...



Go to a race (pick a major track other than Loudon), get into a group of enthusiasts, spark up a conversation about Ben Spies... Everyone participates...



Same place, same scenerio, sub "Jeff Wood" for "Ben Spies".


(I, by no means, am trying to take anything away from Jeff's acomplishments...)

[Pittenger5]

Think of it this way...

100% agree. Not a question. BUT ... maybe DMG (or the other series or whoever) will bring us some GOOD changes as fans. When Jeff finished 5th or 7th or whatever, how many times was he shown on tv? Once? Twice? No more than a handful. Its the Spies/Mladin show. All about them. If a guy like Jeff has to PAY to run, guess what, unless they're Johnny Rock Page with a ton of money, they arent going to be able to run consistantly simple because of funds. If theyre running well, but not shown on tv, no sponsors, including Mr. Suzuki will pay them at all. Lets not get into the comptetive advantage Spies and Mladin have because of parts availability and all that.

I dont know the politics, I dont know the DMG situation, I dont know anything about that, I dont care. I just think that using the fact Spies makes a mil more in AMA than MotoGP, but Jeff has to pay to run, changes are 100% needed.
And honestly, I dont know the point Im exactly trying to make, but it really made me stop and think hearing numbers like this.

[nmendell]

I do understand... but...


Think of it this way...

Also, I don't think Spies was making that much in his first year in Superbike. He's now the two-time Mladin ass-kicker champ. That counts for something.

[cdovego]

Have any of you considered the fact that maybe Mr. Spies didn't want to ride the Suzuki MotoGP bike? I'm sure it was offered at some point.

Maybe he sees something in Yamaha.

[Puppet]

Nope. Never considered it.

I know there's a lot of secrets and behind the scenes workings that we never hear of, but the only consistent piece of info from Spies and in any rumors for the last year and a half is that Ben wanted to ride Suzuki MotoGP in 09

[GixerJockey]

Have any of you considered the fact that maybe Mr. Spies didn't want to ride the Suzuki MotoGP bike? I'm sure it was offered at some point.

Maybe he sees something in Yamaha.

Tell you what, I'll ask him. Serioulsy. I should see him at the Suzuki Show this coming weekend in Vegas. I have a slight relationship with him ever since we got trashed 4 years ago in Dallas...

[R-S-V]

Where ever he goes I hope is not back in the AMA or what ever the series will be in the US. It'll be interesting to see how he does on more or less comparible equipment, not the class beating Suzukis.

Suzuki GP bike is not that bad of a place to be, there are worse bikes out there short of works Honda or Yamaha teams.