Spies warns of tough times ahead
Ben Spies has warned that it will be impossible for him to replicate his World Superbike form in his first full season of MotoGP racing
The 25-year-old American stormed to the WSBK crown in his rookie season this year with 14 wins for Yamaha, and has a wildcard entry in this weekend's Valencia Grand Prix alongside regular riders Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo ahead of full season with Tech-3 in 2010.
But Spies said that the difference in riding style between the two classes and the quality of rider in grand prix racing would make running at the front a tough task.
"For us to do what we did there is impossible," said Spies. "We had a hard year and I had to fight, but the aim every weekend was to win. It just won't happen here. This is a totally different ball game.
"Most people don't really understand just how fast these guys in this championship really are. I understand it because I've already done a couple of races against them [for Suzuki in 2008].
"I know that this weekend and next year is all going to be about learning, about me trying to evolve as a rider. There's a way of riding a superbike, and it won't work on these machines, so that's something I can improve on. Honestly, if I see a podium next year, that would be a miracle."
Spies said that he had asked Yamaha for a wildcard entry at Valencia upon signing his Tech-3 deal to replace James Toseland next year.
"When we made the decision to come to GPs a few months ago, I decided that a wildcard would be a good thing to do, because with all the testing limitations at the moment, it's three days more on a bike," he added.
"It also means that the test on Monday can be a proper test, rather than just poking about. I can know by then how the tyres are supposed to feel, for example. It's just one more thing I don't have to learn. I know I'm going to just keep riding and riding and work with it."
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