Tech 3 Yamaha delighted to capture Ben Spies for 2010

Monster Tech 3 Yamaha team boss Herve Poncharal has spoken of his delight at the signing of Ben Spies for 2010.

Spies will make Tech 3 the Texan 2 team as he joins compatriot Colin Edwards on board a YZR-M1 machine next season in an all-American squad.

As was first reported by MCN last month, Toseland will move to World Superbikes in Yamaha’s official team having failed to earn a new contract for a third campaign in the premier class.

Spies has won 12 out of 24 races in his rookie WSB campaign and heads into this weekend’s penultimate round in Magny Cours trailing Noriyuki Haga by three-points.

Tech 3 boss Herve Poncharal said he was delighted to welcome Spies to his French-based team.

And he believes adding the partnership of 25-year-old Spies and vastly experienced Edwards is arguably the strongest line-up his team has ever put together.

As well as confirming a deal for Spies, Poncharal also announced that Edwards had been rewarded for his impressive ’09 campaign with a new one-year deal.

Spies said: “I want to thank Yamaha globally for their faith in me, They have treated me like royalty!

“Yamaha just recently allowed me to rethink my contract for 2010-2011; I did sign for WSB for 2010 but after Indy I began thinking of the competition and my age versus waiting until 2011.

“This was not an easy decision, the Yamaha World Superbike Team crew and especially Massimo (Maio) Meregalli have been fantastic and it’s been great fun to put in a season together.

“I am hoping that I can give Maio, Laurens Klein Koerkamp and everyone else a championship to remember this year with me.”

He added: “Now I have two challenges, to complete this year giving my best and to move towards new goals in MotoGP.

“Herve Poncharal at Tech 3 is showing his support by allowing me to come on board with my Crew Chief Tom Houseworth and Gregory Wood, my mechanic, who have both been with me since AMA days.

“We will have learning curves to overcome next year but I am up for the new goal. I hope to have a good year and my goal is to try and stay in the top 6-8 which, given the talented line up, will be a tall order.”

Poncharal said: “I am delighted that Colin will remain with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team in 2010.

“He has proved once again in 2009 that he remains one of the world’s best riders and he is a tremendous asset for Tech 3, Yamaha and Monster.

“Colin has been an integral part of our recent success and his dedication and impressive performances mean his new contract is thoroughly deserved.

“It also gives me great pleasure to welcome Ben to Tech 3. It’s a very exciting prospect having a rider of Ben’s calibre join our team.

“Everybody is aware that he is a rider with incredible talent and huge potential, which he has proved with some outstanding performances for Yamaha in World Superbikes this season.

“And I have no doubt that together with Tech 3, Yamaha and Monster that Ben will be a big success in 2010 in MotoGP.

“Colin and Ben together means Tech 3 will arguably field its strongest ever line-up and everybody in the team can look forward to 2010 with tremendous excitement and optimism.”