Spies to WSBK - looks like a done deal

drthompson65 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-30-2008, 04:45 PM

Teaming with BSB star Sykes:

SPIES TO PARTNER SYKES IN YAMAHA WSB SQUAD > BikeSport News

sburns2421 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-30-2008, 05:38 PM

I bet he doesn't win half the races next year like he has been used to for some time...

I would say though that a win or two in the second half of the year is very possible. The guy is very good, good enough to be in MotoGP or WSBK. If he doesn't jump to MotoGP in 2010, he could be a contender for the WSBK title that year.

TWISTED METAL · #3 (**permalink**) 09-30-2008, 06:07 PM

now he's actually gonna have to race...to win....

mladin was a challenge but the top 7-10 guys in wsbk are all very good riders.....

roadkill · #4 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TWISTED METAL

now he's actually gonna have to race...to win....

mladin was a challenge but the top 7-10 guys in wsbk are all very good riders.....

Well, the best rider in WSBK is hanging up his spurs in a coupla weeks, a couple of the other top riders will be with manufacturers new to WSBK, and Yamaha is usually one of the top makes in the field. So, Spies and Sykes may not be as handicapped as one may think.

johnyisthedevil · #5 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 01:34 AM

i think he will do well, the biggest hurdle is going to be track knowledge. I think there is supposed to be an official announcement tomorow. I wonder if he'll take his crew cheif with? I forget his name right now.

viper1 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 01:46 AM

Thats Cool!!!!! We'll finally have an American to cheer for!

roadkill · #7 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnyisthedevil

I wonder if he'll take his crew cheif with? I forget his name right now.

Uh.....that might be a problem. Tom Houseworth, his crew chief was fired by Yamaha, his former employer.

mtmansl · #8 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 04:04 AM

+1 I agree!

Matthew

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadkill

Well, the best rider in WSBK is hanging up his spurs in a coupla weeks, a couple of the other top riders will be with manufacturers new to WSBK, and Yamaha is usually one of the top makes in the field. So, Spies and Sykes may not be as handicapped as one may think.

GAMBLER · #9 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 04:48 AM

he's got his work cut out for him, at least there won't be lappers getting in his way

I wish him luck!

rc mike · #10 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 01:30 PM

Super bike planet posted the offical release today

Dezmo · #11 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 02:52 PM

Yamaha's press release says Ben is from Dallas. They are only off by 150 miles or so

note to Yamaha: Ben is from Longview, TX....same as me

XFBO · #12 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 03:23 PM

When's Edward's contract up, this season or the end of '09?

Anyone else think this might of been Yamaha's request before giving him Colin's ride?

If yes, the kid may not be so dumb afterall.

drthompson65 · #13 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 03:42 PM

Soup :: American Ben Spies To Yamaha World Superbike :: 10-01-2008

TWISTED METAL · #14 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadkill

Well, the best rider in WSBK is hanging up his spurs in a coupla weeks, a couple of the other top riders will be with manufacturers new to WSBK, and Yamaha is usually one of the top makes in the field. So, Spies and Sykes may not be as handicapped as one may think.

that bayliss may very well be...but its not like bayliss wins everyrace...there are other riders that will be tough and they are changing to bmw or ducati or aprilla but those dudes are still gonna be fast...

the competition will be stiff and spies lack of knowledge of those tracks....(-milller of course) will not help him....

even if u look at miller....a few of the guys in wsbk had faster lap times than what spies or mladin had when they used that track layout last year....

sburns2421 · #15 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 06:39 PM

IMO, this is how WSBK will shake out next year. I again will group them into tiers of riders which have a shot at race wins and the championship.

Tier 1: The Contenders
Haga (Ducati), Kironari (Honda), Checa (Honda): Unless there are injuries or incredible runs of bad luck, one of these three riders are likely to be champion next year. The bikes are proven, the riders are experienced and world-class. My money is on Haga, but who knows.

Tier 2: The Almost There's
Fabrizio (Ducati), Neukirchner (Suzuki), Nieto (Suzuki), Kagayama (Suzuki): These guys will likely be in the top 10, but seem to struggle with inconsistency.

Tier 3: The Spoilers
Byrne (Ducati), Sykes (Yamaha), Spies (Yamaha), Smrz (Ducati), Lanzi (Ducati), Corser (BMW), Xaus (BMW), Biaggi (Aprilia), Rea (Honda): The private Ducatis have historically never been as good as the factory bikes, so despite experience and ability, thier riders will always be handicapped. All of rest have the ability to win races, but either are class rookies or have a new bike that will need development. By the end of the year any of them might be a threat for wins, but none will be close enough to make a championship challenge.

Tier 4: Grid-Fillers:
Everyone else, include factory Kawasakis: Unless some other big name talent goes to WSBK (Mladin?), the rest of the field will be fighting for the scraps of points available. Kawasaki seems incapable of making a competitive World Superbike, and instead throws money at an uncompetitive MotoGP bike.

roadkill · #16 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sburns2421

IMO, this is how WSBK will shake out next year. I again will group them into tiers of riders which have a shot at race wins and the championship.

Tier 1: The Contenders
Haga (Ducati), Kironari (Honda), Checa (Honda): Unless there are injuries or incredible runs of bad luck, one of these three riders are likely to be champion next year. The bikes are proven, the riders are experienced and world-class. My money is on Haga, but who knows.

Tier 2: The Almost There's
Fabrizio (Ducati), Neukirchner (Suzuki), Nieto (Suzuki), Kagayama (Suzuki): These guys will likely be in the top 10, but seem to struggle with inconsistency.

Tier 3: The Spoilers
Byrne (Ducati), Sykes (Yamaha), Spies (Yamaha), Smrz (Ducati), Lanzi (Ducati), Corser (BMW), Xaus (BMW), Biaggi (Aprilia), Rea (Honda): The private Ducatis have historically never been as good as the factory bikes, so despite experience and ability, thier riders will always be handicapped. All of rest have the ability to win races, but either are class rookies or have a new bike that will need development. By the end of the year any of them might be a threat for wins, but none will be close enough to make a championship challenge.

Tier 4: Grid-Fillers:
Everyone else, include factory Kawasakis: Unless some other big name talent goes to WSBK (Mladin?), the rest of the field will be fighting for the scraps of points available. Kawasaki seems incapable of making a competitive World Superbike, and instead throws money at an uncompetitive MotoGP bike.

Generally agree with your assessment but with one exception.....Max Neukirchner is one wicked fast dude....I am very impressed with him and think that he will surprise people next year.

Maybe, maybe.......Nitro Nori will finally win a championship....all of these years have left his trophy case full of hardware but nary a #1 plate.

Philly · #17 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 02:05 PM

All in all, I am very excited for next season in WSBK. The new bikes, new riders (90% of them from BSB) will make for an awesome season.

I like Spies' chances. They will obviously be racing the new 'big-bang' R1 next year, so it will be interesting to see how the two yamaha rookies develop and learn the bike while learning all the new circuits. Spies and Sykes will both be very competitive on this machinery, and given a good season, I think Spies will get the bump to play in MotoGP with Tech3 for 2010, taking Colin's spot as he either retires or goes elsewhere. Alot of people are still speculating that Edwards and Spies are going to switch spots before the next season begins, as Edwards' contract is with Yamaha, and not Tech3, same as Spies' contract not being with Yamaha Italia.

I'm also curious to see who else from america will make the jump. Hayes looks like a shoe in for WSS, since he is finishing up the season for Team Parkalgar in place of their fallen rider. Zemke also looks keen on coming to the world stage, rumored to be with Boulder Ducati, the american team fielding a pair of Ducatis.

I cant wait.