6.12.2008

It's not that I dislike American riders ...

Last weekend, Suzuki rider Loris Capirossi managed to break his right (read: throttle) hand. Apparently he's not going to be able to make it back onto the bike in competitive form for the upcoming race in Donnington, and is instead aiming for the following race, Assen. As a replacement for Capirex, the Suzuki GP team is calling up American Ben Spies from AMA Superbike.

Spies (23 years old, from Longview, TX.) is the reigning AMA Superbike champion for Yoshimura Suzuki, and was previously aiming at a GP debut at Laguna Seca's USGP. Fortunately for him, Loris fell off. He'll be joining Aussie Chris Vermeulen on the Rizla Suzuki.

I think this Capirossi quote says it best: "...he shouldn’t get too comfortable on my bike because I want it back soon!" I don't think Loris has too much to worry about, given the state of American riders in this year's world championship so far (Edwards 5th, 73pts out; Hayden 9th, 94pts out; Hopkins 12th, 110pts out).

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