Spies short of confidence in practice

The American was seventh quickest in both sessions today.

"I learned some stuff but honestly I just didn't have a lot of confidence in the bike, and when that happens you're not going to do too good obviously," he said.

"We've got a lot of ideas for tomorrow. We definitely do need to make a difference.

"I didn't have a lot of confidence in the bike, therefore I rode like crap too. When we get the bike working better, hopefully there will be more confidence and I can ride better - and I think that can happen.

"I've got full faith in the crew. We're going to go back to what we know and try something a little bit different.

"Sometimes it's a frustrating day and then a good weekend if we can learn from it."

Spies thinks the problem is a slight set-up issue rather than anything fundamental with the Yamaha.

"It was just confidence in the front of the bike," he said. "I could run a set lap time that wasn't bad but wasn't impressive, all day long.

"As long as we can get the thing working a little bit better, we'll be fine. It's Friday, we've got good weather for tomorrow so hopefully the guys will put their heads together and get something better and I'll be able to ride it for them."