Ben Spies to miss out the Jerez round in his debut MotoGP season with Pramac Ducati – MotoGP news
Courtesy a nerve problem in his chest while riding the in Grand Prix of the Americas on Sunday, 28-year-old American rider Ben Spies would not be able to participate
in the upcoming MotoGP round at Jerez, in Spain.
As 2012 was coming to an end, Spies had suffered a major injury to his shoulder. Spies was still recovering from that injury when a new physical setback struck
Spies during the warm-up session for the Austin round.
“Two laps before the end of the warm-up; I had a twinge in my chest. It was like a knife, so we went to the clinic and they worked on me a lot and got me ready
for the race,” the Ducati rider said.
In his five years of MotoGP appearance, Spies has failed to make a notable run. Retirements were a regular part of Spies’ MotoGP run; both in 2011 and 2012. It
is only a few weeks into the 2013 MotoGP season and Spies is facing similar problems yet again.
Spies managed a 10th place finish in the 2013 Qatar Grand Prix. However, in Sunday’s home Austin round, Spies managed only a 13th place finish, primarily because
of the pain in his chest which, according to Spies, became very severe with eight laps to go in the race.
“I tried as hard as I could during the race, but it wasn't enough. At eight laps to go, it was either come in or to salvage whatever points we could,” Spies said.
Immediately after the Austin round came to an end, Spies was examined and his medical staff advised three weeks of rehab; aimed at alleviating pectorals and back
muscle pain.
Even though Spies would have to miss the third round, he is expected to ride once again in the fourth round of the ongoing MotoGP season. Michele Pirro, Ducati’s
test rider, will ride at Jerez in Spies’ stead.
Spies’ switch from Yamaha Factory Racing to Pramac Ducati has not made too much of a difference for the American rider. However, Spies would still have 15 potential
2013 MotoGP rounds in which he can improve his run.
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