Indy MotoGP: Ben Spies fights back for thrilling podium

Ben Spies recorded his second successive Indianapolis MotoGP podium yesterday after making a brilliant recovery from a disastrous first lap.

The factory Yamaha rider dropped from second on the grid to ninth after a nightmare opening four corners, which included a collision with Andrea Dovizioso’s Repsol Honda RC212V.

But he produced a captivating comeback to claim his third rostrum of the 2011 campaign and he said: “We didn’t make the greatest start but it just didn’t add up when we got out of Turn 1. I think it was Nicky (Hayden) that came on the inside and he pushed a few people wide and I just got behind a couple people.

“And then me and Dovi made some contact in Turn 4, and that was our race. I was happy to stay on the bike after that and found myself back in eighth or ninth. So it made it tough. 

But it was at least pretty interesting. The result maybe could be a little bit different, but it wouldn’t have changed much. It would have made it a little easier to come through the pack. We did the best we could with what we had, and that’s all we can do. We came from a long way back to get a great result.

“So I’m happy with how the race went. Besides that, there’s always should have, could have, would have, but that’s how it goes. We had to kind of reset the brain after the first five turns and just try to stay focused on picking people off.

“We had to make some creative passes out there because it was quite tough getting it done in the straightaway. So we did what we could and we got a third place in front of the home crowd.”

Spies said the early tangle with Dovizioso was a racing incident and he didn’t blame the former 125GP world champion for being overly aggressive.

He told MCN: “It was a racing incident. He got in there a little bit hot and he was coming back across. I think it was more his line was different than the normal one but I don’t think he did it intentionally. I just got caught out on it but it made my race more interesting. I wish it wouldn’t have happened but that’s how it goes.”

Spies didn’t encounter the severe front tyre grip issues experienced by team-mate Jorge Lorenzo, who struggled to a disappointing. Both were running similar set-ups on their YZR-M1 bikes and Spies said the difference came down to riding style.

He added: “I think that’s an example of you can put a setting on a bike and jump on it, and it’s not the best thing. I rode Valentino’s setting when I first went to the factory team, and there was no way I could race on it. That’s just how it is sometimes.

“The way we brake and release the brake and pick up the throttle is completely different. We ride different lines. The way I ride was better for today. Most of the time it seems like his style is a little bit better.

“It’s just the way it is, but I think that’s a good example for people that don’t know about racing, that setups are — you can’t always just jump on something and go fast. When I followed him, he was definitely having some problems in some areas, and that’s the way it goes.”

For seven pages of coverage from the Indy MotoGP race, see the August 31 issue of MCN.