Yamaha Motor Racing Boss, Lin Jarvis, has commented on Ben Spies’ entry for the last MotoGP event of the year at Valencia as a ‘win-win’ scenario for both the competitor and his squad.

25 year-old Spies will compete for Herve Poncharal’s Tech 3 squad alongside Colin Edwards next year, after originally being due to line up for his MotoGP induction for the 2011 year.

Spies, who appeared on three successive MotoGP events for Suzuki last year, is currently second in the World Superbike rankings, he will comepte on a YZR-M1 test bike at the Gran Premio Generali de la Comunitat Valenciana early next month prior to commencing next year's campaign.

Jarvis explained the opportunity for Spies to race an M1 for the initial time will ensure he becomes familiar with the bike prior to testing and their intial season together.

“As we announced a few days ago, Ben has made his switch and his decision to come over to MotoGP. Essentially, next season starts two days after the Valencia race. We have the test on Tuesday and Wednesday so of course that would be the normal way for him to start,” states Jarvis.

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Jorge Lorenzo repeated his Estoril win of last year from pole on Sunday to further boost his title hopes as Valentino Rossi was only able to manage a fourth placing at the demanding Portuguese track.

The Fiat Yamaha duo began in first and second spots on the grid, however Rossi was not able to match the speed of Lorenzo as he pulled away in front. On his return to racing, Ducati’s Casey Stoner raced with excellent pace to follow Lorenzo over the line in second position, whilse Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa came third.

Lorenzo now claims an 18 point deficit to Rossi with only three rounds left, the championship is much more achievable prior to the appearance in Portugal. The Spaniard was in fantastic form and his fourth victory of the year was stabilised by a 6.3s margin.

Stoner performed brilliantly on his return after two months away with an illness, taking his first stage appearance since Assen in June, he now has a home event at Phillip Island to look forward to in 2 weeks time.

Pedrosa raced smoothly from fourth on the grid, claiming the holeshot with one of his traditional beginnings and holding the lead for a short period before Lorenzo came through. Pedrosa’s third spot was his eighth stage podium this year.

World Champion Rossi seemed to be off-colour during the event, ending up off the podium for the sole time at Estoril in the upper class. The championship leader will follow through with an inquest to his lack of competitiveness with his squad after placing 23 seconds behind Lorenzo.

Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) was 10 seconds behind Rossi in fifth spot, while Toni Elías (San Carlo Honda Gresini) challenged off Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda) for sixth over the line.

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During the last few days Pasini has endured two falls however this did not stop him from starting his test set-ups to adjust his bike to his riding style. A positive experience for him and Ducati’s engineers who appreciate his positive character as well as the information provided by him. The Italian competitor claimed a best time of 1m51.9s out of 40 laps finished. Vittoriano Guareschi, who was doing updated testing for next year, gained the fastest time of 1m51.7s before he fell also, ending his session.

“It was really a great and positive experience and I think I could have recorded a faster personal best,” states Mattia Pasini after testing. “Unfortunately I fell this morning at the “Correntaio”, having made a strong start to the day with a good feeling due to the changes we had made towards the end of yesterday’s session. The changes made a difference as today I immediately went a second faster in the first exit. I didn’t injure myself too badly but hurt my neck which perhaps affected my riding; I think that otherwise I would have been able to drop another second before the end of the day. Anyway, I repeat that it has been a fantastic experience and I thank Ducati and the team who have looked after me during these three days. We will see each other again at Estoril next week.”

“During this test I was able to personally verify that Mattia is capable of riding a MotoGP bike despite the difficulties”, says Filippo Preziosi. “This is possible only thanks to his unnatural talent and extraordinary determination.

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