Catalunya MotoGP: Ben Spies back in learner mode

Ben Spies has admitted it will be tough to revert back to learner mode as he tries to continue his purple patch of form in this weekend’s Catalunya MotoGP.

Spies scored his first premier class podium at Silverstone last month on a track that none of his rivals had previous experience at.

And he was a brilliant fourth in last weekend’s Dutch TT at Assen having raced at the classic Holland circuit in World Superbikes last year.

Spies has only ever seen Catalunya on TV and on a video game and he said:

“It’s not a fun thing to do, especially getting the podium in Silverstone and the fourth last weekend. The expectations get more and more. Now we come to a place we don’t know, so it’s the same thing we’ve done all year.

“Even when we haven’t the greatest results, we put in the best effort as we can and we’ll do that this weekend. I’ve got to learn the track tomorrow and we’ll just see what we can do. It’s tough, but I knew that coming in control. We got to deal with them as best we can.

“But I think it’s been going so far so good and we’ve got to just keep progressing and keep learning.  I’m not afraid to say we have to keep doing that.”

The 25-year-old Texan though is still delighted with his progress having claimed three top five finishes in the opening seven races of the season.

He said: “I’m happy with how it’s going. It’s not easy because these guys are fast. I think a lot of people thought we were just going to come in and do some miraculous thing this year and I knew coming in we weren’t.

“But I’ve been happy with myself, progressing and learning. Sometimes bad things happen but you’ve got to shake them off and start new again. We’ve had to do that a couple times this year. Overall I think I’m learning, I think I’m getting better.”

• Do you think Spies can win? Have a flutter with Paddy Power. Bet £10 and get £20