As Moto123.com announced last week, Ben Spies will join the semi-factory Tech3 Yamaha team for the 2010 MotoGP season, contrary to the cryptic denials issued by Yamaha in the past weeks.

With Colin Edwards also agreeing a one-year extension at Tech3, the two American riders force former double World Superbike champion James Toseland out of a ride, maybe even out of MotoGP at this late date. Toseland should end up with a good World Superbike ride, maybe even return to Ten Cate and Honda where he was a winner before moving up to MotoGP.

Spies, a triple AMA Superbike champion who made his MotoGP debut as a wild-card with Rizla Suzuki last season, trails Ducati's Noriyuki Haga by just three points with two rounds (Four races) remaining in the 2009 WSBK season. He comes to Tech3 with long time crew chief Tom Houseworth and master mechanic Gregory Wood, two key elements in his three AMA Superbike championships and his remarkable rookie season in WSBK.





Photo Credit : Yamaha