MotoGP
Indianapolis GP: Tech 3 race report
Sensational Spies claims career best second at Indianapolis Ben Spies treated a patriotic home crowd at the world famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway to an all-action display in today's MotoGP race, the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider ending a ...
Published: Aug 30, 2010, 11:55 AM
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Sensational Spies claims career best second at Indianapolis
Ben Spies treated a patriotic home crowd at the world famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway to an all-action display in today's MotoGP race, the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider ending a fantastic weekend with a career best second position.
Starting from pole position for the first time in his premier class career, Spies made a blistering start and streaked away from the field in the early stages with a succession of fast laps as he looked at ease leading a MotoGP race for the first time.
Such was Spies' phenomenal early speed that he was a second clear after just three laps, the reigning World Superbike champion leaving his illustrious rivals trailing in his wake. Only Dani Pedrosa was able to get close to matching his rhythm as a crowd of over 62,000 fans roared the Texan on.
Spies was producing heroics to keep Pedrosa at bay but the Spaniard made a decisive attack on lap seven to move into the lead. Spies produced a super human effort in gruelling heat and humidity to try and keep the pressure on Pedrosa before he eventually eased off to secure a richly deserved second.
The 26-year-old's performance received a huge ovation from the appreciative Indianapolis crowed with Spies celebrating being top Yamaha rider for the first time in his career. And marking his career best result in front of his home fans shortly after confirming his 2011 move to Yamaha's factory team only made his accomplishment even more special.
Colin Edwards had a tough afternoon after he was one of only four riders to select the hardest compound Bridgestone rear tyre available for the 28-lap race. With temperatures and humidity higher than at any stage during the weekend, Edwards hoped his choice would enable him to mount a strong showing in the second half of the race.
But he opted to change to the softer compound tyre at the end of lap 11 and while his lap times instantly improved, the 36-year-old retired on lap 17.
Ben Spies 2nd -- 110 points
"I'm really happy to have got my best result in MotoGP in front of the American crowd and at a track as famous as Indianapolis. I always said I wanted my best result in my home race, so it's mission accomplished. After the pole position I got a great start and it felt good to be out front for the first time in MotoGP. But I didn't have the pace for Dani today and he rode a great race. I'm happy because I didn't make too many mistakes when I was out in front and I was consistent for the whole race. When Dani passed me I knew I couldn't follow him, so I let him go and concentrated on keeping a gap to Jorge in third and that's what I achieved. I can't complain because it was a great weekend and to be top Yamaha rider when you look at who else is on that bike is pretty satisfying. It hasn't sunk in yet that I've finished second in my home race. But I'll enjoy it before I hop on a plane and try and do it again in Misano next weekend."
Colin Edwards DNF -- 57 points
"I went for the hard tyre because I'd done a 41.6 on that tyre on Friday and felt pretty comfortable and confident. I'd not been able to make the soft tyre last close to race distance. I'd started to have a problem after eight or nine laps with it, so with the temperature and humidity coming up I was getting excited about using the hard tyre. But I had a problem with edge grip from the start and I was having an issue turning. I was riding on the limit but way off the pace so I pulled in for the softer tyre and did a few laps and my lap times were immediately better. The tyre choice cost me today but congratulations to Ben. He's just riding at an amazing level and second in this field is something to be proud of."
Herve Poncharal -- Team Manager
"That was a fantastic weekend from Ben and he delivered an unbelievable performance for the American fans. We could not have hoped for more and he showed why we are so sad to see him leaving us to join Yamaha's factory team next season. But I'm happy for him though because clearly with the factory team he will be with the top four. His pole position yesterday was incredible when you consider how tough it is to achieve that against such a high level of competition. He got an incredible start and he was very strong at the beginning of the race. Only Dani could match him and pass him but Ben rode immaculately and it never looked like Jorge was going to catch him. It wasn't the race Colin was expecting and unfortunately his decision to run the hard tyre didn't pay off. Conditions were very demanding but it was clear when he switched to the softer tyre that he had the pace to have scored possibly his best result of the season."
-source: tech 3
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