News 5 Apr 2011

Spies admits disappointment following late crash at Jerez

American Ben Spies was on track for a second place finish at Jerez before crashing out.

American Ben Spies was on track for a second place finish at Jerez before crashing out.

Texan Ben Spies is disappointed after crashing out of the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, missing out on a sure podium position that would have marked his first for the factory Yamaha team.

Spies was denied a Yamaha 1-2 finish behind world champion teammate Jorge Lorenzo at Jerez when he crashed in turn five during the latter stages. The incident handed the podium placings to Dani Pedrosa and Nicky Hayden alongside Lorenzo.

“I don’t think of it as a race today, it was more attrition,” Spies reflected. “Once we moved into fourth behind Nicky I knew I could get past so just waited for the right moment. Dani was only a few seconds ahead of me and I thought for sure we could get on the podium.

“I slowly started to catch him, Jorge was obviously going to win but we could go one two. I put it all out there and caught Dani. As soon as I passed him I knew that we had second place under control, he wouldn’t be able to get back by but I needed to not make any mistakes.

“Every corner after I passed him I slowed down, taking it easy then all of a sudden I was on the floor. Obviously it was my mistake, but looking at the data I was going slower than I had all race.

“It was one of those things – I think the tyres were the limiting factor today. I think it was a great show for the crowd though!”

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