German MotoGP: Slow start costs Ben Spies

A lack of edge grip in the early laps of yesterday’s German MotoGP race put paid to Ben Spies’ hopes of claiming his third rostrum of the season.

The Texan was in sixth place for all but one corner in the 30-lap encounter when he took advantage of a mistake under braking by Marco Simoncelli at the final turn to snatch a hard fought fifth.

The 2009 World Superbike champion said: “I was faster at the end and I wish I had one more lap, 31 laps would have been nice for me.  I struggled for edge grip at the beginning of the race and it showed. I was never really fast but I never slowed down. I was comfortable and the bike was good but I was just missing some grip compared to the front group. I got another top five and it’s been like that the past three races including a win in Assen and I was closer to the front here this year than one year ago. Now I go to Laguna with some confidence.”

It was the second race in succession that Spies has passed Simoncelli at the final corner, just as he did to the Italian in Mugello earlier this month.

Simoncelli ran wide on the brakes while trying to force his way by Repsol Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso and Spies pounced.

The factory Yamaha rider was then seen waving his right leg to Simoncelli but he said: “Nothing happened between us but to pass him at the final corner at the last two races, I was just letting him know about that.”

For seven pages of news and reaction from the Sachsenring, see Wednesday’s issue of Motor Cycle News.