I would say Ben will be a World Champion in MotoGP within two to three years barring any serious injuries or other unforseen issues. He got a second place at the USGP at Indy, second podium finish of the year, finished ahead of Rossi and the guy is still in his rookie year no less! Unbelievable talent and proabably the nicest guy you'd ever want to meet. If any one deserves it this young man does. Goooooooo Ben!!!

* Last updated by: Kruz on 9/16/2010 @ 7:17 AM *

I thought a key interview I saw of him a little while back was when he said he used the same exact bike as other races, no extreme mod changes or anything, and he STILL pulled a second place finish. This is KNOWING that he isn't riding a factory Yamaha which is known to have "the goods". I think when he feels like he's ready to make that move, we'll see some impressive stuff from him. If you saw the race at Indy, remember that when Pedrosa made his move on Spies, that Pedrosa's bike basically walked that Yamaha, but Spies was able to hold off the rest of the pack. His sheer grit/determination is what gave him that second-place finish. He said in that interview he wasn't quite ready for Factory Yamaha. I think he's still feeling his way through MotoGP currently. I think, when the time is right, we'll see a different Spies slowly emerge and he'll give Lorenzo, Pedrosa and Rossi a run for their money.

On a side note regarding his teammate, I don't know why Colin Edwards doesn't just go to a different bike since he's obviously so unhappy with his current ride. To me, it kinda seems like he just keeps making excuses instead of just putting his head down and ridin' that thing. Ok, yeah, you had a crappy front tire at Indy. Even after they swapped him with a softer compound, he still came back to the pits as if he gave up. I'm not impressed with him much - don't see a lot of his father in him.

I did not think much of him when he ran AMA races, but now, seeing him racing one the world scene, World SBK & MotoGP, that has changed. I think he's got the goods. I am impressed.

* Last updated by: Steven14 on 9/16/2010 @ 10:40 AM *

Yep, I see future Superstar written all over this guy. No matter how fast every one is going he just rises to the occasion. Good point about his equipment, he beat Rossi while riding an inferior machine. If Yamaha picks him up as Rossi's teammate next year on a full factory ride and they'd be stupid not to, I think Ben is going to give 'em all they bargained for. That being said, racing is full of surprises, all the great riders are just one accident away from retirement. Go with GOD's blessing Mr.Spies!

If Yamaha picks him up as Rossi's teammate next year on a full factory ride

I believe this is already a done deal, is it not? Only Rossi is moving to Ducati. -bg

The deal is already done, Spies on factory Yamaha Team for 2011, however, not along Rossi, but Lorenzo. Rossi signed for 2 years with Ducati factory team, replacing Stoner, who in turn will be the 3-rd rider for Repsol Honda.

All I have to say is, it's going to be embarrassing as hell for Stoner/Hayden if Rossi starts schooling everyone on the Ducati.. I don't know how closely you fellas follow their interviews, but Rossi basically told the press that Stoner isn't trying hard enough Check here - lol.

* Last updated by: loadedmind on 9/16/2010 @ 11:37 AM *

Wow! 2011 is shaping up to be the most exciting year ever for MotoGP! Can you imagine a Spies/Rossi duel with Rossi on Stoners bike and Spies on Rossi's old machine. Can't hardly wait for the action to begin!

What will be fun is watching Rossi do for Ducati what he did for Yamaha a few years back. I'm a little surprised Rossi waited this long to ride for Ducati; but, I guess the timing and/or circumstances never presented themselves until now.

As for Ben, he's got some talent. If he continues to remain grounded (as he is currently perceived), he will be just fine.

I could be speaking prematurely, but I believe Lorenzo has the 2010 season - even with Pedrosa riding as well as he has been lately (with the exception of Laguna Seca, of course; although, he was looking real sharp until the spill coming out of turn 5).

The 2011 season is indeed shaping up to be an exciting one.

Rossi Has not been the same rider ever since he proclaimed he wanted his pad separated from Lorenzo's. Some kinda disention going within the team. Riding like his heart is not into it. Look out next year when he gets on the Ducati. Ben is a great rider. Looks like he wants to take a nap during interviews.

Rossi Has not been the same rider ever since he proclaimed he wanted his pad separated from Lorenzo's. Some kinda disention going within the team. Riding like his heart is not into it. Look out next year when he gets on the Ducati. Ben is a great rider. Looks like he wants to take a nap during interviews.

I respectfully disagree. I think Rossi was riding like he usually does up until that horrific accident. I think the weakness in his shoulder and, what many people are calling too early of a comeback at Sachsenring, he hasn't been the same. I think once he completely heals (which I really don't think will happen until most of 2010 is over), he will be back to his old self again. Rossi has made some serious moves on recent races increasing his position each time, for the most part. Even at Indy, where it's next to impossible to catch the leaders, Rossi ended up passing two people to take 4th, which I thought was respectable considering his starting position.

I'm just real disappointed in Hayden and Edwards' performance this year. I've never really been a fan of Stoner, but he has seriously been sucking wind for a while now as well.

In other news, Nicky's brother Tommy seems to be doing well in AMA, so, it might get interesting, Nicky and Tommy riding alongside each other. My prediction is, within 2 years, we'll see Tommy in MotoGP.

For those of you that watch MotoGP, what do you think about Moto2 class? Frankly, I'm bored of it. Give everyone the same 600cc Honda engine and the rest is up to the teams for tweaking. To me, it's just not near as exciting as watching different manufacturer's put their best on show and let it all hang out. Personally, I think it would be more exciting to see a ~750cc class introduced to MotoGP. I think that's where the real story is. Some of them are every bit as powerful as the liter bikes and they're a tad more "flickable". Would be a fun race to watch.

I think Rossi is going to tame the Duc, something that Hayden, so far, has been unable to do. Nicky's done, I would say. I don't seem him ever winning another World Championship, 2006 was kind of a fluke but at the end of the season he had the points so who can argue? Ben Spies star is definitely rising, great things in store for him if he can just stay healthy and the new Yamaha suits him. Stoner, what can I say, so much potential and yet he seems to have lost the plot somewhere.

Rossi has won on everything from 250cc two smokers to 500cc two smokes, 990 MotoGp bikes and now 800s. He's proven he can ride anything and win. I think it's going to be a Rossi/Spies show next year with everyone else fighting over the scraps. But what do I know?

* Last updated by: Kruz on 9/17/2010 @ 8:29 AM *

For those of you that watch MotoGP, what do you think about Moto2 class?

Snore... It's great if you like to watch crashes, though (which I don't). WAY too many riders (they should limit it to the top 20 qualifiers or so) and the same-powered bikes with guys REALLY going for it makes it a lot more dangerous that it should be. I enjoyed the 250's much more.

They're going the same route with the 125's. Too bad... -bg