Ben Spies close to new Yamaha MotoGP deal

Ben Spies is locked in talks with Yamaha about an extension to his current MotoGP deal.

The Texan, who clinched the Rookie of the Year crown in Phillip Island last weekend with fifth place, is negotiating an extension to his current contract that could keep him on a YZR-M1 machine until the end of 2013.

MCN understands a new contract could be agreed by the final race of the season in Valencia before the former World Superbike champion leaves the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 squad to partner Jorge Lorenzo.

Spies has one year left on his current contract and he told MCN in Australia: “There’s talks and from both sides we’d like to sort something. If I’m going to the factory team I’d like to go for a couple of years at least. 

“With the 1000s coming in 2012 they probably don’t want me to help with development and then not go and ride the thing the following year. I’d like to tag on another year and maybe sort an option for 2013 or something like that.”