Qatar WSB: Track knowledge no problem for Spies

American Ben Spies stunned the WSB paddock during the opening free practice session in Qatar this morning by positing the second fastest time of the hour long session.

Despite no previous track knowledge of the flat and technical desert circuit Spies, learnt the track with devastating precision.

Riding the cross plane Yamaha World Superbike R1, the 24 year old headed out on track at the beginning of the session and began posting increasing faster laps.

By lap eight he was on the pace of the front runners and on lap nine he hit the top of the time sheets.

Spies said: “We’re just working like we always do. We have to work hard at every track we go to to get the right setting for this bike.”

Spies was eventually overhauled by Alstare Suzuki man Max Neukirchner, but with 20 laps of data and experience under his belt is expected to be a front runners in this afternoons opening qualifying session.