Spies to BMW WSB next year?

[txmxrider]

Just spotted this tidbit on Cycle News:

"Yamaha's General Manager of National Communications for Yamaha's Motorsports Group Bob Starr probably got quite a surprise when he started his annual pre-U.S. MotoGP video shoot today by getting the news via a Twitter feed that Ben Spies won't be a part of the factory Yamaha team in 2013.

Spies, who made the announcement via his Twitter feed this morning, is at Yamaha's headquarters in Cypress, California, today taking part in the video session that will include his teammate Jorge Lorenzo and Monster Tech 3 Yamaha's Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Dovizioso.

"The scene harkens back to the Mercury and Apollo astronauts who became well-known for all driving the same brand of sports car following their space flights," Starr said in a press release. "Our MotoGP pilots are paying homage to those pilots."

As for the Spies news, rumors as to where Spies is headed for 2013 are running rampant. One such rumor is that he will return to the Yoshimura Suzuki team in AMA Superbike in 2013 with a return to MotoGP with Suzuki in 2014. The other rumor with some traction is that he's set to join Marco Melandri on the BMW Motorrad Italia team next year in World Superbike."

[JGard]

One of the more exciting parts of that is hearing that Suzuki is expected back into GP in 14. We need more than 3 factories, or the factories need to be able to have more than two bikes each.

Anyway, I'll be sad to see Spies leave GP. With Hayden apparently being forced out and Edwards, who knows, it'll be real sad if there are no Americans in the series next year. But that's how it seems to be shaping up.

[Chris Canning]

More to the point who'll have his place,Spies will find a team no probs.

[Chris Canning]

Originally Posted by JGard

One of the more exciting parts of that is hearing that Suzuki is expected back into GP in 14. We need more than 3 factories, or the factories need to be able to have more than two bikes each.

Anyway, I'll be sad to see Spies leave GP. With Hayden apparently being forced out and Edwards, who knows, it'll be real sad if there are no Americans in the series next year. But that's how it seems to be shaping up.

I would suggest that Dorna will get involved before that synario happens.

[bradzdotcom]

Originally Posted by Chris Canning

I would suggest that Dorna will get involved before that synario happens.

you can bet your pre-paid pitpASS on that predicted proposition.

i'd guess that some yankee is gonna have his butt put on some motogp bike whether everybody likes it or not.

not having usa riders as regulars in that circus would tank the two current usa-based events, plus the new texas plans. lawsuits would erupt.

it would look like the Mx GP at glen helen.
i went with the neighbor and we could easily stand 20 feet apart, at the fence with nobody in between us...almost anywhere on the track.
i shoulda broke down and bought a t-shirt. would of probably been #6 of 8.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by JGard

One of the more exciting parts of that is hearing that Suzuki is expected back into GP in 14. We need more than 3 factories, or the factories need to be able to have more than two bikes each.

Anyway, I'll be sad to see Spies leave GP. With Hayden apparently being forced out and Edwards, who knows, it'll be real sad if there are no Americans in the series next year. But that's how it seems to be shaping up.

Nicky being forced out? Link to the news?

[JGard]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Nicky being forced out? Link to the news?

I wouldn't say there's anything definite, but Rossi is signed with Ducati for next year and Crutchlow was offered a contract. Since they can only have two bikes it kind of leaves Hayden out of the mix, unless Crutchlow goes somewhere else, of course. With Spies leaving, it gives us more hope that Hayden will have a ride somewhere, but I just haven't been reading any good news yet on that front.

[Deans BMW]

The other rumor with some traction is that he's set to join Marco Melandri on the BMW Motorrad Italia team next year in World Superbike."

There may be more to this than meets the eye.........

[flatbutt]

Personally I'd like to see Nicky on the Honda.

[RIQUE]

I'd like to see Rossi on anything else than Ducati, heck Vespa is fine.

[Guest24]

This is an off the wall question; but, could it be that the American riders carry too much weight and height for MotoGP?

[flatbutt]

Well maybe compared to Pedrosa.

[signit98]

Originally Posted by Nail24

This is an off the wall question; but, could it be that the American riders carry too much weight and height for MotoGP?

WOW... I am speechless.

Who would have thought the solution could have been THAT easy?

Here we are, discussing the politics in MotoGP, the money necessary (and/or involved) and the results needed to make a team effort worthwhile... the possibility of different engagements/collaboratory efforts between teams, DORNA and other things...

No, the US rider are just too big and too heavy...

[Guest24]

Actually Ralf, there has been discussion about the size and weight of the riders. Sorry you missed it. You talk about removing the ABS to lose 6 pounds on an 11S, yet you sarcastically address the fact that there has been talk of handicapping the rider such as is done in horse racing. You're not as savy as I thought. Weight reduction does equate to horsepower bonus and it doesn't have to come from the bike itself. Also, the larger rider adds to form drag. Shall i send you a copy of my old Aerodynamics textbook. You must listen to MotoGP with the sound turned off. In a sport of 100ths of a second, WEIGHT and SIZE do matter.

[Chris Canning]

I very much doubt that Spies has fallen out with anyone,but I bet Mary has!!!

[wswartzwel]

more on Spies

Soup :: Spies To Retire, Take Year Off? :: 07-24-2012

[kpolito99]

For my money I would not want Spies. He seems too inconsistent while Lorenzo has been relatively steady riding on the same factory machine.

[JGard]

Last I knew, maybe I'm remembering incorrectly, but Simoncelli was not a small guy by any standards. I don't think it's the body-size issue. Shoot, Hayden is only 5'6". That's pretty small.

[RIQUE]

I recall from the previous rider size thread that based on weight the bikes are allowed certain tuning mods like timing advance and what not so make things equal...or sort off.

[2wheelmike]

So who's gonna be at Laguna? I'm riding up Friday AM. Lots to talk about- Ride safe-