WSBK fans can take a collective sigh of relief of at least another year, because Yamaha has officially announced that Superbike sensation Ben Spies will remain in WSBK in 2010 and then will switch to MotoGP in 2011 with the Yamaha satellite team Tech 3.
Spies in his rookie year in the World Superbike series has rocked the championship, already taking nine Superpoles and eleven wins and is just 7 points behind leader Noriyuki Haga, going into the Nurburgring round this weekend.
Yamaha has yet to announce who will be Spies team mate in 2010, while persistant rumors have placed Cal Crutchlow or BSB leader Leon Camier who will be at Nurburgring taking in the races, on the second Yamaha R1.
Ben Spies:“I am very happy to say that I will remain a part of the Yamaha family and will continue in the WSB series for 2010.
This is an exciting period of my racing career and I look forward to even more.
Yamaha has been great in the warm welcome that I have received entering the world level and I want to thank them for all they have done, and giving me their trust for a next career step into MotoGP in 2011.
” Laurens Klein Koerkamp Racing Manager of Yamaha Motor Europe:“We got to know Ben this season in our Yamaha World Superbike Team as a very talented, professional and dedicated person with whom we are thrilled to continue working.
Not only is the relationship between Ben, the team and Yamaha in general very successful but it’s also a pleasure to work with him.
This early agreement permits Yamaha and Ben Spies to now fully focus on their 2009 World Superbike campaign in their challenge to achieve their first World Superbike Championship titles together.
”Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing: We are truly excited about the prospect of Ben’s arrival into our future MotoGP program.
Ben is doing a great job for Yamaha in his first season in the World Superbike Championship.
He is in great shape to challenge for the title this year and we will be rooting for him at the remaining four events this season.
Ben’s primary mission is to win both his and Yamaha’s first World Superbike title.
After that when Ben eventually makes the move to the MotoGP championship we will be ready for him and, in line with the new MotoGP regulations, we will create a place for him within the Yamaha satellite team and give him the support he needs for his next challenge.
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