Valentino Rossi expects strong challenge from Ben Spies

Reigning world champion Valentino Rossi has backed Ben Spies to have a successful debut campaign in MotoGP.

The Italian believes Texan Spies has all the attributes to be a major threat in 2010 after he won 50 per cent of the races in a stunning World Superbike campaign last year.

Rossi, who is bidding for an eighth MotoGP crown this year, said: “There is a lot of expectation about Ben Spies. I think Spies is a very good rider and has a great talent. It is not a case that he is the current Superbike World Champion!

“He will surely be very competitive, he has a good potential, he’s fast and brave, but of course I hope he will be less fast than we will be, because four strong riders are already too many.”