Ben Spies to race number 11 in MotoGP

Ben Spies will revert back to his favoured number 11 when he moves to the MotoGP world championship in 2010.

Spies opted to run 19 in his rookie World Superbike campaign because factory BMW rider Troy Corser was using number 11.

But with Spaniard Alvaro Bautista already having number 19 for his move to MotoGP with Suzuki’s factory team next year, Spies will run the number 11 on his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YZR-M1 machine.

The 25-year-old, who trails Noriyuki Haga by 10-points going into the final WSB round in Portimao later this month, confirmed he would move to MotoGP during last weekend’s Estoril clash in Portugal.

He will replace British rider James Toseland, who will move back to WSB in place of Spies on board a factory R1.

Spies will make his Yamaha YZR-M1 debut earlier than anticipated after he was given a wild card slot in the final round of the season in Valencia on November 8.