The last American to be considered one of the road racing world's Aliens, Spies on anything with two wheels is gold!!! Know he was one hell of a motocrosser before he traded knobs for slicks, so I'm sure he will do just fine in the woods.
thats pretty cool! I've always had respect for guys that can try multiple disciplines and be competitive.
I have stumbled across his Instagram a few times (i don't follow him, but i think I will now) and i remember seeing a lot of woods riding videos and whatnot. He was riding a lot with Russel Bobbit i think? Also seem to remember clips of him riding with Andrew Short, fellow Texan.
i'll be following his new efforts for sure. Thanks for posting OP
Keeping his "Elbows" up won't be an issue for him.
As an Off road racer...I think this is awesome! It should draw some much needed attention to Off Road racing...and off road needs all the exposure and attention it can get.
Not knocking Spies but he was never an alien, that honour went to Rossi, Stoner, Lorenzo & Pedrosa. Great rider never the less.
And at Assen in 2011 Ben Spies beat them all on a dry track straight up. In 2010 and 2011 he was a consistent top 5 guy with 6 podiums. If that's not alien it's the closest anyone can get.
And at Assen in 2011 Ben Spies beat them all on a dry track straight up. In 2010 and 2011 he was a consistent top 5...
And at Assen in 2011 Ben Spies beat them all on a dry track straight up. In 2010 and 2011 he was a consistent top 5 guy with 6 podiums. If that's not alien it's the closest anyone can get.
Like I said, I'm not knocking Ben in anyway. Didn't he win the WSB championship at his 1st attempt?
From 2007-2012, Rossi, Pedrosa, Lorenzo & Stoner dominated Moto GP. That's why they was classed as aliens.
Like I said, I'm not knocking Ben in anyway. Didn't he win the WSB championship at his 1st attempt?
From 2007-2012, Rossi, Pedrosa, Lorenzo & Stoner...
Like I said, I'm not knocking Ben in anyway. Didn't he win the WSB championship at his 1st attempt?
From 2007-2012, Rossi, Pedrosa, Lorenzo & Stoner dominated Moto GP. That's why they was classed as aliens.
Yes he did win WSBK on 1st try. He killed it that year. Ben is a great guy on and off the bike. I wouldn't consider him a alien, those are the guys that dominate in GP.
I ran into Ben at the MotoGP in Austin this year. I hadn’t seen him since he left for Europe and I only casually knew him prior to that. He told me about his new love for off road racing, then gave me his number and invited me out to his ranch to do some riding if I’m ever in town. Sounds like he’s busy raising his daughter and living the good life of a retired racing superstar. Great guy and I wish him the best!
Like I said, I'm not knocking Ben in anyway. Didn't he win the WSB championship at his 1st attempt?
From 2007-2012, Rossi, Pedrosa, Lorenzo & Stoner...
Like I said, I'm not knocking Ben in anyway. Didn't he win the WSB championship at his 1st attempt?
From 2007-2012, Rossi, Pedrosa, Lorenzo & Stoner dominated Moto GP. That's why they was classed as aliens.
Yes he did win WSBK on 1st try. He killed it that year. Ben is a great guy on and off the bike. I wouldn't consider...
Yes he did win WSBK on 1st try. He killed it that year. Ben is a great guy on and off the bike. I wouldn't consider him a alien, those are the guys that dominate in GP.
Was hoping he would do MotoAmerica next year.
Same here. Was looking forward to seeing how he would do after a few years away.
As for his alien status, I remember reading an interview with him where he admitted it was a bit of an eye opening experience seeing what the top guys in the sport could do on a MotoGP bike. He talked about how on his given day he was capable of beating them (and did), he knew early on he would never be a MotoGP world champion. It was a good interview...wish I could remember where it was published.
I never heard about the shoulder injury that ultimately sidelined him. I always wondered what happened because he sure as hell looked capable when he first arrived over there.
Both the brothers are fantastic on two wheels. Here's the guy who won the MotoAmerica Supersport Class (600cc) this year: He might not be at the GP level but he's got some skills on a dirt bike.
I don't consider Pedrosa part of this list. If it wasn't for his ties with Repsol, he wouldn't have the HRC ride.
I take it you haven't been watching Moto GP for long then. Them 4 riders dominated the 800cc era, free practice, qualifying, racing. He's 7th in the all time GP wins, 3rd in the all time podium results. Finished 2nd in the Moto GP championship 3 times, 3rd 3 times not forgetting his 125 & 2 x 250 WC's.
Pedrosa has been injured a lot in his career which is probably the reason why he hasn't won a big bike WC. Honda keep signing him because they know he can deliver, he's never ever rode for another brand and he's a loyal employee. Honda also regard him as an excellent test rider.
Paul Denning, who was the Team Principal at Suzuki at the time, was the first guy to coin the phrase "aliens" & Pedrosa was one of them.
Edit: Pedrosa has one at least 1 GP a year since 2002, that's 16 years in a row.
I take it you haven't been watching Moto GP for long then. Them 4 riders dominated the 800cc era, free practice, qualifying, racing. He's 7th in...
I take it you haven't been watching Moto GP for long then. Them 4 riders dominated the 800cc era, free practice, qualifying, racing. He's 7th in the all time GP wins, 3rd in the all time podium results. Finished 2nd in the Moto GP championship 3 times, 3rd 3 times not forgetting his 125 & 2 x 250 WC's.
Pedrosa has been injured a lot in his career which is probably the reason why he hasn't won a big bike WC. Honda keep signing him because they know he can deliver, he's never ever rode for another brand and he's a loyal employee. Honda also regard him as an excellent test rider.
Paul Denning, who was the Team Principal at Suzuki at the time, was the first guy to coin the phrase "aliens" & Pedrosa was one of them.
Edit: Pedrosa has one at least 1 GP a year since 2002, that's 16 years in a row.
I have. I guess my "disappointment" with Dani is that while he has proven he can win GP's, he hasn't been able to win a championship in the big bike class and think other riders like Cal should have been given a shot. You are right regarding about who were called the "aliens" back then - I should have said that I wouldn't mention him in the same breath as the others today.
The Shop
I have stumbled across his Instagram a few times (i don't follow him, but i think I will now) and i remember seeing a lot of woods riding videos and whatnot. He was riding a lot with Russel Bobbit i think? Also seem to remember clips of him riding with Andrew Short, fellow Texan.
i'll be following his new efforts for sure. Thanks for posting OP
As an Off road racer...I think this is awesome! It should draw some much needed attention to Off Road racing...and off road needs all the exposure and attention it can get.
Good luck Ben!
From 2007-2012, Rossi, Pedrosa, Lorenzo & Stoner dominated Moto GP. That's why they was classed as aliens.
http://www.motogp.com/en/Results+Statistics/Statistics/winners
Was hoping he would do MotoAmerica next year.
As for his alien status, I remember reading an interview with him where he admitted it was a bit of an eye opening experience seeing what the top guys in the sport could do on a MotoGP bike. He talked about how on his given day he was capable of beating them (and did), he knew early on he would never be a MotoGP world champion. It was a good interview...wish I could remember where it was published.
Always good seeing road race guys killing it on dirt
Pedrosa has been injured a lot in his career which is probably the reason why he hasn't won a big bike WC. Honda keep signing him because they know he can deliver, he's never ever rode for another brand and he's a loyal employee. Honda also regard him as an excellent test rider.
Paul Denning, who was the Team Principal at Suzuki at the time, was the first guy to coin the phrase "aliens" & Pedrosa was one of them.
Edit: Pedrosa has one at least 1 GP a year since 2002, that's 16 years in a row.
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