Spies impresses in qualifying run

From motogp.com

Slotting himself in at a highly creditable eighth place on the Donington Park grid MotoGP debutant Ben Spies is impressing plenty of observers this weekend, including Suzuki´s Stuart Shenton.

Although Loris Capirossi´s chief technician with the Rizla Suzuki team will be hoping the experienced Italian can make a quick return to racing after his recent hand injury, the Englishman has been impressed by replacement rider Spies.

The AMA Champion has made an earlier than expected maiden MotoGP appearance at the bwin.com British Grand Prix as a substitute rider and may carry on next week at Assen if Capirossi´s absence continues – and if Saturday´s qualifying performance is anything to go by Spies is more than up to the job.

Having seen Spies qualify in eighth position on a wet track, after a slow start on Friday in free practice, Shenton commented, "Throwing him in at the deep end today we are very pleased with his performance. We would have liked to give him more dry time on the bike and with our dry settings, but he has done a fabulous job this weekend so far. He is obviously at the top of his game in America and he has come over here and he has already got quite a lot of knowledge behind him. His feedback and approach has been very professional this weekend."

Reacting to his third row qualifying effort Spies himself added, "I think we are doing a pretty good job and the rain kind of evened it out for us a little bit, in terms of our lack of track knowledge. I think it is a good job to be in the top 10 and we´ll see how the race goes tomorrow. Hopefully we can pick it up a little more. I am fairly confident and I think the bike is getting better and better as we go."