Jerez MotoGP: Ben Spies rues missed podium opportunity

Ben Spies blew a golden chance to claim a Yamaha 1-2 in yesterday’s rain-lashed Jerez MotoGP race.

The American had just moved into second place by Dani Pedrosa on lap 25 when he lost control of his factory Yamaha YZR-M1 machine at the fifth corner.

The 26-year-old said: “With how the Warm-up went and my speed in the rain, we made a massive change to the bike for the race and I was quite comfortable with it. I didn’t quite understand how it would be for the first few laps so I was a little bit cautious but I think I still rode really well at the start and stayed close. Once we got moved into fourth I was behind Nicky and I knew I could get by him, I just waited for the right moment. Once I got by, Dani was a few seconds ahead of me and I was looking at how far I was pulling away from Nicky and I felt for sure I could get on the podium. I slowly started reeling in Dani and I knew I could catch him. We were all having problems with the tyres. Not to blame the tyres, but it is a very demanding track and the middle of the rear tyre had basically gone and the right side of the front tyre was a slick. I could see Dani’s problem was bigger than mine, so I just followed him for a lap and once I got to him I took him and as soon as I did I knew we had second place under control. Every corner after I passed him I slowed down, taking it easy then all of a sudden I was on the floor.”

For more reaction from Spies and a full nine-page report on the Spanish Grand Prix, see Wednesday’s MCN