Casey Stoner impressed with Ben Spies

Casey Stoner believes Ben Spies can make a big impact in his rookie MotoGP campaign in 2010.

The Texan has already impressed ahead of his first full season in MotoGP next year after he claimed seventh place on his Yamaha YZR-M1 debut in Valencia last month.

And Aussie Stoner said: “I’m really impressed and he’s doing a great job. I told him earlier in the season that there was no point racing World Superbikes again.

“He was the fastest guy out there and there was nothing more to do. Now is the time to step up to a bigger challenge, so we’ll see what he is capable of.

“He is very quiet and humble and just loves the sport for the racing like myself and doesn’t like the rest of the things.

“He knows what challenge he has ahead of him and he’s going to do everything in his power to make the most of it.”