Three-time AMA Superbike champion Ben Spies is expected to announce a switch to the World Superbike Championship in 2009 after revealing he will leave both the AMA Superbike series and Suzuki. Team Yamaha Italia is probably his final destination to partner Tom Sykes.

The America rode with Rizla Suzuki in the MotoGP series at Donington Park, Laguna Seca and Indianapolis where he had excellent showings.

He was expected to graduate to MotoGP in 2009, but lost out on a GSV-R seat when Rizla re-signed Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi.