British MotoGP: Ben Spies looking to transform fortunes

Ben Spies has admitted it is essential for him to transform his disappointing form round at the forthcoming Silverstone and Assen MotoGP rounds.

The Texan heads to Silverstone this weekend for round six of the new 1000cc era without a top six finish to his name after a bitterly frustrating start to the season.

Spies has only scored a best of eighth place and his poor run continued earlier this month in Catalunya when he finished 10th, having crashed out of the lead in the early stages.

But with Silverstone and Assen coming up he is aware both present the perfect opportunity to get his season back on track.

Silverstone is the venue where Spies scored his first MotoGP podium in 2010 when he passed compatriot Nicky Hayden on the final lap.

And Assen was the scene of his first MotoGP victory almost a year ago when he delivered a faultless start-to-finish success.

Spies told MCN: “The beginning of the season has been bad. In Barcelona the speed was there but I made a mistake. But the most important thing for me was I showed I had the speed and confidence with the bike.

“I’ve put myself in such a hole for the championship that it doesn’t really matter what I do from now because it is not going to look good at the end of the season.

“The most important thing is to be back up front with Yamaha and helping Jorge (Lorenzo) out. I’ve got a lot of confidence now and I’m going to Silverstone where I did get my first podium and I do like that track a lot.

“So hopefully a result there will be the spark we need and obviously I really like Assen, so it is important I do well.”