Ben Spies satisfied with 2011 progress

Ben Spies has declared himself satisfied with the progress he’s making in the second year of his MotoGP career.

Spies was Rookie of the Year in 2010 and made an immediate impact for the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team, claiming two podium finishes at Silverstone and Indianapolis.

Spies gained promotion to Yamaha’s factory squad when Valentino Rossi moved to Ducati and in the opening 10 races of the 2011 campaign he’s managed a breakthrough victory in Assen. And the former World Superbike champion was also on the podium in Catalunya.

Assessing his 2011 season so far, the Texan said: “The goal this year was to win a race and if we can win another one it would be great and then more. But that goal after last season when you’ve been on the podium and finished second, the goal is to win a race and we’ve done that.

“We had a rough start at the beginning but the last few weekends we’ve been consistent and always in the top five and on the podium and fourth.

“I’m happy with the way the last few runs have been going and it’s been good. We’ve got to bridge a little bit more to the front but so does a lot of people besides the front couple of guys, so I’m happy with it.”

Spies is currently sixth in the overall world championship rankings just 10-points adrift of factory Ducati rider Valentino Rossi in fifth ahead of the next race in Brno, Czech Republic on August 14.