SPIES in for Capirossi

[ÜberDoober]

Looks like Benny boy gets to try the big kids bikes earlier than expected!

Ben Spies to replace Loris Capirossi in Donington MotoGP
By Matthew Birt
11 June 2008 18:12

Reigning American superbike champion Ben Spies will make his long-anticipated MotoGP debut in the British GP at Donington Park on June 22.
Suzuki is expected to officially announce the deal later this week, but Spies will replace Capirossi, with MCN sources today confirming the 35-year-old would definitely miss the British GP.

The veteran Italian had further medical checks on the broken right hand today that he injured during last Sunday's Catalunya GP when Honda rookie Alex de Angelis wiped him out.
Source (and full article): motorcyclenews.com (http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/mcn/2008/june/9-15/jun1108-ben-spies-to-ride-rizla-suzuki-motogp/?R=EPI-101030)

[Gary]

One of the Brits I talk to says he'll believe it when someone other than MCN reports it - says they are too sensationalist to trust.

I hope it's true!

Strikes me as odd since it says Aoki's contract would give him the ride!

[ÜberDoober]

BAH! Wake up to a story over at soup saying Spies knows nothing about this.

MotoGP: Spies To Replace Capirossi
by dean adams
Thursday, June 12, 2008

Ben Spies didn't seem to know anything about it yesterday when we called him and asked if the rumors were true and he was going to race Donington (and Assen) as a replacement rider on the Suzuki MotoGP team in place of the injured Loris Capirossi.
Source Link: superbikeplanet.com (http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2008/Jun/080612a.htm)

Poop!

[ÜberDoober]

WTF, man? Both MotoGP.com and Autosport.com have confirmed this story? What's true and what isn't? :ack2:

[ÜberDoober]

It looks like Dean Adams was hoodwinked? We've got the MCN newsfeed up on the left side of the board and the top story at the moment is "Spies talks"

Ben Spies talks British MotoGP ride
By Matthew Birt
12 June 2008 17:19

Ben Spies has spoken about his forthcoming Suzuki MotoGP debut at the British MotoGP on June 22, 2008.

The reigning American superbike champion has been called up to replace injured Italian Loris Capirossi, who will miss the Donington Park clash with the broken right hand he suffered in Catalunya last Sunday.

Spies, who made a brief appearance on a factory Suzuki GSV-R in Valencia last November, said: “I first got word of it on Monday afternoon.

“There had been some phone calls from the head guys asking if they
would be okay with me running it. There are some pros and cons to the whole thing, but in the end there are a whole lot more pros to it, and they think it’s better for seat time, for getting used to the tyres, for getting used to everything. And when I come to Laguna I can put my head down.”

Link to source article: motorcyclenews.com (http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/mcn/2008/june/9-15/jun1208ben-spies-talks-british-motogp-ride/?R=EPI-101055)

[Gary]

I have joined the growing ranks of those not particularly impressed with soup, especially when it comes to racing outside the U.S.

It's a shame because Dean was one of the first guys I talked to online, back when the 'net was in it's infancy. These days a number of people have referred to them as 'Cutandpaste.com' and that's how I've seen it lately.

[ÜberDoober]

I have joined the growing ranks of those not particularly impressed with soup, especially when it comes to racing outside the U.S.

It's a shame because Dean was one of the first guys I talked to online, back when the 'net was in it's infancy. These days a number of people have referred to them as 'Cutandpaste.com' and that's how I've seen it lately.

I always learn so much from you, Gary! :) I did not know of the growing ranks not particularly impressed. Interesting. We (I) obviously do a lot of cut & pasting here but no claims are made of being anything but rehashers. :D

Hey, FWIW, I knew Dean and especially Susan Haas and Keith Patti back before the net! Let's talk early 90's back on pay-by-the-minute CompuServe at 2400 baud. Another of our registered Doobers here, Mr. Toad (that has never posted, dammit) is also from that original gang on CIS.

[Gary]

Then we have talked in the past, my friend! I was on compuserve too, lol - and that's where I talked to Dean. I actually got a thanks in one of his articles on superbike racing in the early 80's from American Roadracing (long before he was editor), lol - it was funny because the 'thanks to' read something like 'Thanks to Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Mike Baldwin and...... ME!!!' - only time my name was mentioned in that crowd without the words 'he'll never ride like' prefacing it. I still have the original that he sent me to proof read here somewhere.

2400 baud?? You paid for the fast connection!! I think I was at 600.

By the way, you are cutting and pasting but not calling yourself a news service - this is a forum!

[ÜberDoober]

That's just too darn amazing and cool. Small world for sure. :) I used to be a master at those old arcane navigation commands but once I got a clue, switched to TapCIS and did all my reading and replying off line. I can't honestly say I remember being on at 2400 baud but I do remember upgrading modems to 1200, 2400 etc.

Since it seems to be a day for some serious thread drifting :001_rolleyes:, here's an observation that just drifted through... some people have motorcycles and some people are motorcycle people that have it in their blood. Knowing some of you guys a little better than I ever did over at SPEED is really cool and knowing some you go back in time with your love/hobby/passion for motorbikes even further than I do is all the better. Gary, knowing that we may have met in a previous life is just plain funny. :D

My friend that is registered here as Mr. Toad predates even those times with Wheels Down at Prodigy. He's big on his LABiker list now and is confounded by these newfangled forums so hasn't posted. He would have a lot to add to the pre/early www days conversation. :) He stayed on CIS a lot longer than I did and was dubbed, "The Chairman".

What was this thread about now? Oh yeah, Spies. :p

[Gary]

Back on topic, I hope Spies does well in his first ride, and by that I really mean doesn't embarrass himself. No one can expect much!

I don't doubt he'll land a good ride outside of the US next season, the last thing I'd want for him is to be stuck here in the middle of the DMG nightmare.

[ÜberDoober]

Capirossi in for Spies at Assen!

Okay, the Capirossi press machine is back in action today with a story on Autosport announcing that Loris will be back in action this weekend in Assen. Like all his recent "articles" about staying with Suzuki next year, I haven't heard anything official from Suzuki that he will indeed be back in the saddle.

If true, at least Ben is supposed to test. I'd like to see him race but if it doesn't happen, that's okay. Capirex is in for the duration.

Read the story here (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/68603).

[Gary]

Yeah, Spies was confirmed in for Capirossi only if Loris was unfit to ride - and looks like he'll be there.