British MotoGP: Ben Spies bounces back from crash

Reigning World Superbike champion Ben Spies bounced back strongly from a heavy crash in this morning’s final practice to qualify his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 machine in seventh place for tomorrow’s British MotoGP clash.

The 25-year-old lost control of his YZR-M1 bike at the fast Farm Curve left-hander and he aggravated the left ankle injury he first suffered during practice for the recent French MotoGP race at Le Mans. 

The Texan recovered to post a best time of 2.04.477 in this afternoon’s qualifying session, which was run in blustery and cold conditions that saw air temperatures peak at a chilly 16 degrees.

Spies, who was one of four crashes this morning with Andrea Dovizioso, Hector Barbera and Marco Simoncelli all suffering high-speed tumbles, said: “I’d seen a few guys crash and the track was pretty dirty so I’d decided to come into the pits and wait until it was cleared up.

“But by slowing down the tyre had lost some temperature and when I went into the left-hander it just flicked me off. It was one of those really aggravating crashes I was only doing 70 per cent of my normal speed when I got caught out. It is one of those crashes that really hurt even though it didn’t look that much.”

Spies looked like scoring his best ever grid position in MotoGP when he held sixth place in the closing minutes.

But as he looked to consolidate his position he lost crucial time when Frenchman Randy de Puniet lost control of his LCR Honda at the Farm Curve on his final flying lap and he had to settle for seventh.

Spies said: “Qualifying wasn’t too bad but I feel like it should have been a better outcome than what it is. I’m riding really hard and I was pretty close to being on the second row but I’d like the lap times to be coming a little bit easier. On the speed charts we’re down a bit and that is making it difficult and if I don’t get a good start it will make it hard to pass people.

“But I’m happy with my riding and the set-up of the bike and the lap times are consistent. I certainly tried as hard as I could and on the last lap I might have picked up another tenth to get on the second row but de Puniet crashed in front of me and that definitely cost me a small bit of time. My ankle is not too bad and shouldn’t be a problem in the race.”