MotoGP: Ben Spies, the rookie of the year so far
MotoGP has always been considered the stage where the world’s top drivers come to compete for the title. It has been built around a system that allows riders to graduate from the lower classes and to skim off the cream to the next classes.
The 125cc class is made for young teenagers to compete on the best tracks in the world to try and make their mark. The Moto2 class is the stepping stone to the next level where drivers ride 600cc four-stroke bikes. There are restrictions in terms of the engine and tyre suppliers. The top class is the MotoGP class where riders are on 800cc bikes and the top constructors in the world come to compete and take top honours. It’s a system that works. It’s a system that has produced countless world champions. So when an outsider tries to come in and make his mark, it often ends up in disappointment.
But this year, it’s different. This year, the person who is challenging the system is Ben Spies. The 25 year old American came directly into the MotoGP class this season and has been the talking point of the grid. He seems to have a style and charisma that is making him shine amongst the stars of the premier class.
Traditionally, riders coming from the World Superbike Championship or the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Superbike Championship have failed to make a mark on the sport. Wayne Rainey, Eddie Lawson and Nicky Hayden are the only three riders in the history of the sport who have been able to win championships at both the AMA and the MotoGP class. The World Superbike Championship, however, is yet to produce a rider that has been able to win the MotoGP title.
Spies has won both these titles. He won the AMA title from 2006 to 2008, three years running. In 2009 he moved to the World Superbike and won the Championship in his rookie year. He managed to take 14 race wins on his way to the title, edging out Noriyuki Haga for the title.
It was a season full of breaking records on the track. He took pole position in his very first outing and managed to win race 2 of the event. He was the first American to win a race in the WSBK class since Colin Edwards won in 2002. But it was in the second round when signs of his dominance started to appear. He took pole position, had the fastest lap, broke the circuit record and won both races in their outing at Qatar. His pole position success rate was 11 out of 14 for the season. Out of these, 7 pole positions were in a row which also broke the record of fellow American Doug Polen set in 1991.
Having such a pedigree of numbers behind him, it was no surprise that he is now making his mark on the MotoGP front. In his very first race, he finished fifth at Qatar but surprisingly in the next two races he was unable to finish. But it was at Silverstone in Great Britain where he was able to put in his best performance of the season. He finished in third place in a closely fought battle with Andrea Dovizioso, Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden. This was the first time that he had been involved in such a major clash and he proved that he had the talent and attitude to mix it up with the big boys.
Now as he enjoys a 20 point lead over his much more experienced teammate Colin Edwards, all he has to do is keep his cool this season and try and get consistent finishes inside the top five. This might not be the season that he wins a race, but this is the season where he should perform in order to get himself a race seat with a factory team for next year. So keep an eye on this young star as he is sure to make a mark on the sport in the next few years to come.
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