Ben Spies "2014 with Ducati"

How's your recovery going? 

The recovery is going well...it was a hard to come back from this injury which was very big.
But everything seems to coming along good now.

Do you already got plans for 2014? 

2014 my plans are already with Ducati in MotoGP. Hopefully we can have a better
package next year and start the season at 100 percent

How can you compare two teams Factory Yamaha and Pramac Ducati? 
There are many differences. Obviously being with a factory team your travel and accommodations are a step up and things like that but Pramac has been very good for a satellite team. The main differences at track are working with the Europeans and not Japanese just a different
outlook on things.

You've been in factory Yamaha team for two years, now it's your second year with satellite Ducati , how much support does the team get from Ducati? 
It’s hard for me to completely know this because of my limited time riding this
year, but to me it looks like that the Factory works closer with Pramac then Yamaha does with their satellite teams.

This year your teammate is rookie Andrea Iannone, how's your relations, you are friends or more like rivals? 
Our relationship is good I would say we have to be more rivals than friends because he speaks little English so we don’t hang out much but he’s friendly so we have no problem.

What was most difficult when you moved from SBK to GP?
 I would say the bikes for sure is the biggest difference and the paddock is much different

Which paddock you like more, WSBK or MotoGP? 
WSBK

This year we've got three American rounds in MotoGP calendar, but which is your favorite? 
Austin for sure....the track is amazing and it’s in Texas

What is your motivation for racing? 
To keep pushing and to better myself.It’s a great feeling when you battle a whole
race with someone and come out on top.

How many tattoos you've got? 
5 I think. one is very big and half of my arm that has a lot of details

Are you superstitious? Do you have any special rituals/preparations before the race? 
I have my routine but I’m not superstitious

Your favorite race track and why? 
Probably Laguna Seca because I’ve been there many times and it’s a very fun weekend

Your favorite occupation outside the track? 
Cycling and my restaurant stack house burgers!

Who would you be unless being racer? 
Probably a baseball player

Which of your races you can name "best of the best"? 
Assen MotoGP when I won was my biggest race. But the most
fun was WSBK in Assen in 2009 when I came from 3rd to 1st with 2 laps to go and won.

Who would be your favorite rider to ride alongside? Past or present. 
I think Colin Edwards who I looked up to when I was young but I got to be teammates with him in Tech 3.

By: Anna Belkina
Photo: pramac.com