MotoGP News
Date: 12/September/2012
Ben Spies will move from the Factory Yamaha team to the satellite Pramac Ducati outfit for the 2013 MotoGP season.
The Texan’s plans were officially confirmed on Wednesday, when he was named alongside Moto2 race winner Andrea Iannone at a revamped Pramac team.
Not only will Pramac expand back to a full two-rider line-up next season, it will also enjoy closer links to Ducati and - most significantly - both Spies and Iannone “will be supplied with official equipment”.
That indicates that their machinery should be all but identical to the Desmosedicis of Ducati Team riders Nicky Hayden and Andrea Dovizioso.
Spies, 28, won his first MotoGP race last season, but has endured a torrid time in 2012. Riding alongside World Championship leader Jorge Lorenzo, Spies is yet to take a podium finish after a catalogue of incidents and technical issues.
The former AMA and World Superbike champion is to be replaced by Valentino Rossi, who is returning to Yamaha after struggling at Ducati.
Spies surprised Yamaha by announcing via the internet that he was to leave the team at the end of 2012. He was initially linked with a return to WSBK, the AMA or even retirement.
While Spies is the epitome of calmness, Iannone’s nickname is ‘Crazy Joe’. The 23-year-old Italian is a twelve time grand prix winner, but has so far lacked the consistency needed for a world title challenge.
Iannone set quick lap times during recent MotoGP tests for Ducati, clearing the path for his 2013 race seat.
The signing of Spies and Iannone means that only one prototype MotoGP seat is still available for next season - the Gresini Honda of Alvaro Bautista.
The Spaniard is believed to be facing pressure for the ride from Moto2’s Scott Redding (GBR) and Casey Stoner’s Repsol Honda stand-in Jonathan Rea (GBR).
Spies and Iannone take the place of existing Pramac rider Hector Barbera and Cardion AB’s Karel Abraham.
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