Ben Spies boosted by Colin Edwards advice

Ben Spies reckons the help and advice offered by Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team-mate Colin Edwards is proving invaluable in helping him make a quick transition to MotoGP.

Spies and Edwards were constantly talking to each other about bike set-up during the recent two-day testing session at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia.

Edwards was also on hand to give tips to Spies on learning the long and technical Sepang circuit, which hosts the Malaysia MotoGP race on October 10.

And unlike in the Fiat Yamaha team, Edwards allows his data to be accessed by Spies to help the reigning World Superbike champion quickly master what it takes to ride a YZR-M1 machine.

Spies was an impressive seventh quickest in Sepang earlier this month and ended just two places adrift of Edwards.

And he told MCN how significant the help is from Edwards, who finished fifth in last year’s MotoGP world championship.

“Colin has been great. I’ve been asking him stuff and he’s more than willing to help me out.

“I’m really happy with that and it is going to be good being team-mates with him. I had a couple of questions with Casey (Stoner) and he’s helped me out a little bit.

“Some good guys have been giving me pointers and I’m not afraid to ask because this is a different animal and so hard for World Superbike guys to jump on them and do well, “Spies told MCN.