Yamaha Reveals Special Ben Spies Livery for Valencia

Yamaha is making intensive preparations for the arrival of WSBK Champion Ben Spies to the MotoGP team the following season. The special one-off paint scheme and sticker design to be featured on the YZR-M1 has just been unveiled by the Sterilgarda Yamaha Team, marking Spies' wildcard ride before he officially enters the MotoGP World Championship with the Yamaha Tech 3 Team.

The Texan has been granted a wildcard entry into the final MotoGP race in Valencia this weekend, and will therefore get some valuable seat time before the official testing begins. The two-day official test is scheduled right after the Valencia event.

Ben Spies only raced in the WSBK Championship for one season, and won the WSBK title at his very first attempt, this also being the first win for Yamaha.

The 25-year-old rider scored 14 race wins and 11 pole position starts in the class over the 2009 season, therefore becoming the all-time greatest rookie in the process.

“I’m really excited for the opportunity to race at Valencia this weekend,” said Spies in a statement for the press. “I’m fully aware that MotoGP is a big step up from World Superbike and realize it’s not going to be possible to achieve the same results in my first year there. I see this weekend as an opportunity to spend some time on the bike and start learning it for next season, and to have some fun as well!”