The Far East doesn’t seem to agree with Ben Spies’ stomach.
The Yamaha rider is currently in Indonesia with team mate Jorge Lorenzo for a Yamaha PR tour and fell sick with a bout of food poisoning.
This is the second time that the American rider has suffered the same problem, as it already happened when he was travelling to the Motegi GP last September and it kept him from completeing the second free practice.
Before falling ill, Spies and Lorenzo visited Indonesian Yamaha R Series Cup racers that are part of a unique Yamaha Coaching Clinic.
The MotoGP stars gave tips on rider positioning, cornering and overtaking to the delighted local riders.
Later Lorenzo went on to help Yamaha Motor Indonesia launch the new Yamaha Byson motorcycle to an audience of over 3000 Indonesian Yamaha Dealers at a special event just outside Jakarta.
The 150cc Byson street bike is Yamaha’s star new machine for 2012 in Indonesia.
Spies was due to co-host alongside his team mate however a bout of food poisoning unfortunately meant he was unable to participate.
“It’s been a pleasure to meet the new Indonesian racers of the future,” said Lorenzo.
“I think with good teachers they can be professional riders in world championships.
It was important as well for us to see all the dealers here in Indonesia this afternoon who sell all the Yamaha bikes; I hope we helped to motivate them to achieve success in 2012.
”“It’s been extremely cool to come here and meet the Indonesian people” commented Spies.
“They’ve been so warm and welcoming to me.
I’m really sorry to have not been able to meet all the dealers this afternoon, just my luck to get struck down with a bug today.
I’m off to Bali now to recover and take a few days rest but I’m already looking forward to another opportunity to come back here again and see everyone.
”Yamaha has yet to announce who will be their main sponsor for the 2012 season.
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