Ben Spies under no pressure, says Suzuki boss

Ben Spies is under no pressure to perform in his MotoGP debut at Donington Park this weekend, according to factory team boss Paul Denning.

Spies’ shock appearance in Sunday’s British MotoGP as replacement for injured Loris Capirossi has provided the Texan with an early opportunity to thrust himself into the shop window for 2009.

Suzuki though has already confirmed that it won’t run three bikes in 2009, severely restricting the reigning American superbike champion’s options with the Japanese factory.

Spies has already been linked with a Ducati ride next year as he is desperate to move onto the world stage, but there is no pressure on him to perform this weekend.

Rizla Suzuki team boss Paul Denning said: “This is a great opportunity for Ben to participate in his first race outside of America.

“And looking at it logically it is a fantastic chance for him to get a lot more familiar with the bike before the American races, to learn a race track he doesn’t know and to understand the level more of where he is at.

“He is treating it is a learning opportunity and that’s exactly the right way to approach it.”

Spies wasn’t due to make his GSV-R race debut until a wild card appearance in Laguna Seca next month, which will be followed up by a second outing at Indianapolis.

But Denning added: “He is not pretending that it is going to be easy. He has only had two hours on the bike in Valencia last year and he’s got to learn a new bike, new tyres and a new track very quickly.

“We will certainly be giving him everything he needs to do a good job.”

Asked what he expected from Spies on what is sure to be a baptism of fire, Denning said: “He hasn’t finished off the podium for about three years so it would be nice if he could carry that on.

“Seriously though Donington is not an easy track to learn and not the easiest place to jump on a new bike and go full tilt at. It will be tough to run right at a competitive level but I am sure Ben will gauge his performance against Chris (Vermeulen) and if he can get close to that I’m sure he’ll be delighted.”

Denning also denied that Spies’ performance would have any bearing on a potential future deal, with Suzuki widely expected to continue fielding Capirossi and Vermeulen in 2009.

Denning said: “Without a doubt it will give Suzuki earlier information on Ben’s ability to learn new tracks and lots of other things. But that didn’t motivate the choice to give him this ride.

“Nothing is set for next year and nothing will be decided until late July as far as I am concerned.”

Denning also confirmed that Spies is on standby for the Dutch MotoGP in Assen on June 28, 2008.

Capirossi has already declared his intention to return to action in Holland, but Spies will be available should the triple world champion be forced out again with the broken right hand he suffered in Catalunya earlier this month.