Spies wild-card a 'win-win' situation

From motogp.com

Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director Lin Jarvis has described Ben Spies’ wild-card entry for the final MotoGP race of the season at Valencia as a ‘win-win’ scenario for both the rider and his team.

The 25-year-old Spies will race for Herve Poncharal’s Tech 3 satellite team alongside fellow American Colin Edwards next season, after originally being lined up for his full MotoGP induction for the 2011 season.

However, Spies – who made three successful MotoGP guest appearances for Suzuki in 2008 and is currently second in the World Superbike standings – will ride a YZR-M1 test bike at the Gran Premio Generali de la Comunitat Valenciana in early November, prior to being installed for the commencement of the 2010 campaign.

Jarvis explained that the opportunity for Spies to ride an M1 for the first time at Valencia will help the three-time US AMA Superbike champion and his new team become familiarised ahead of testing and their first season together.

“As we announced a few days ago, Ben has made his switch and his decision to come over to MotoGP," Jarvis said. "Essentially, next season starts two days after the Valencia race. We have the test on Tuesday and Wednesday so of course that would be the normal way for him to start.

“But Ben made his request to Yamaha and asked, ‘would it be possible, could it be possible to do a wild card?’ We checked internally and we found a way to make it happen. So I think it will be exciting for the sport and for Valencia, and it will give him three days extra track time before starting the two days of testing before the winter break. So I think it’s a win-win situation all round.”