Suzuki deny big money Ben Spies offer

Suzuki has again denied trying to tempt back Ben Spies with a big money offer to ride a factory GSV-R in MotoGP next season.

Released by Suzuki at the end of 2008, Spies has been an instant hit for Yamaha in World Superbikes and has made it clear he sees his long-term future with the Japanese factory.

But desperate to bring in new blood to try and inject fresh life into its MotoGP effort, Suzuki is rumoured to have tabled a lucrative offer for Spies to return, even though he was overlooked for a GSV-R ride this year.

Suzuki is also still waiting to learn whether its offer to 250GP title contender Alvaro Bautista has been accepted.

A Catalunya GP deadline passed last weekend with no word from the Spaniard, but MCN understands he has no intention of joining the British-based squad.

Rizla Suzuki boss Paul Denning, who said: “We’re still very open minded about rider choice. We’ve been in touch on an informal basis with Ben but nothing more than that. I’m checking out the availability, cost and conditions of a few riders. I’ve had discussions with Bautista’s management to see if the option is there but it hasn’t gone to the next step.”