Jerez MotoGP: ‘I rode like crap’ admits Ben Spies

Ben Spies admitted he was as much to blame as anything else in Jerez today after the American finished opening practice in seventh position.

The Texan clocked a quickest time of 1.40.887 to finish nearly 1.4s behind the best pace set by Aussie Casey Stoner.

And Spies accepted much of the responsibility was down to his own riding rather than the performance of his factory Yamaha YZR-M1.

The 2009 World Superbike champion told MCN: “It’s only Friday but it was a day to forget about and a day to learn some stuff. Honestly I didn’t have a lot of confidence with the bike and when that happens you’re not going to do too good obviously. We’ve got a lot of ideas for tomorrow, but I do need to make a difference.

“It was a combination because I didn’t have a lot of confidence in the bike and so I rode like crap too. If we get the bike working better hopefully it will give me more confidence to ride better.”

Spies was lacking confidence in the front-end, but unlike team-mate Jorge Lorenzo, he wasn’t losing the front in most corners.

He added: “I could run a set lap time all day long but it wasn’t bad and it wasn’t impressive. I couldn’t go faster and around this track the front end is key, so as long as we can get it working a bit better then we’ll be fine. I just missed out with the setting and that’s how it goes sometimes.

“I think Jorge’s complaints and mine are different. I wasn’t having any issues with almost crashing or losing the front. I just didn’t have the confidence to push the bike. I just lacked speed and wasn’t able to attack like I usually do and how I like to ride.”