Valentino Rossi expects big threat from Ben Spies

Reigning world champion Valentino Rossi has told MCN he expects new Yamaha recruit Ben Spies to pose a major threat in the 2010 MotoGP series.

The Italian was impressed with Spies’ eye-catching YZR-M1 debut in Valencia in early November when the Texan claimed an encouraging seventh place.

Spies, who won the WSB crown at the first attempt in 2009 with a thrilling last round success over Ducati rival Noriyuki Haga, also impressed at a MotoGP test session in Valencia.

And Rossi told MCN that Spies’ Valencia performance was a big surprise.

“He has surprised a lot of people, including me. He made a good race in Valencia but each time out on the track he has been getting a lot better. For sure I think he is another difficult rival to beat for next year.”