Spies: “I’m not going to Valencia to race Toseland”

Ben Spies maintains that he is going to the Valencia MotoGP race in November to test – not to go toe to toe with James Toseland.

The 25 year old American finally confirmed that he will switch to the premier class in place of James Toseland in the Tech 3 Yamaha squad in 2010 and has been granted a wild card ride at the Spanish race.

With limited winter testing Spies intends to use the race to get up to speed in preparation for his new challenge, but accepts there will be media hype when he lines up against James Toseland for possibly the one and only time of their respective careers.

Speaking to MCN, Spies said: “There’s obviously going to be comparisons between myself and James because we’re going to be on the same track at the same time, but the real reason I’m doing it is to get three more days on the bike.
“I’m not going there to go toe to toe with James to show I should be there and he shouldn’t, I’m going there to learn and I shouldn’t be beating any of the Yamaha’s that’s for sure.

“I know I’m not going to go into GP’s and do what I’ve done in WSB – there is no chance in hell of that. Those guys over there are not slow. If I’m round sixth, seventh, eighth I’ll be happy – I have to be realistic.”