An Interview with Ben 'Elbowz' Spies

You are pretty young, but you have already gained some excellent results in your racing career. As a crown of your career there is a championship title in AMA last year. Now you have switched to WSBK. What is your impression about it, if you compare both championships and what are your expectations for this season?

This is difficult question because these are new tracks, new bike and new riders and the riders. This particular AMA championship year 2008, I had the advantage of knowing the track, bike and all the competition and how they ride on the track.

What would you do in life if you weren´t racing?

It would be baseball.

Who would you choose as your teammate if you had the chance?

Doug Chandler.

What would you change in the sport you are competing in?

This is also hard for the athlete or rider we just want to give all our talent to the specific sport. Unfortunately, in order to do this we have politics and business of the sport. Sometimes it can be messy to mix the two as we have seen for many months in the States with AMA transition.

Who is your childhood hero?

Kevin Schwantz but I am catching up to him, he is not old. (laugh).

What would we find in your garage?

You would find cars all over.

Your favorite place in the world?

My ranch.

You are using Akrapovic exhaust system this year? What is your opinion about them?

Absolutely, they are the best for my bike.

What would be your next steps in your career?

Always to improve.

Your advice to motorcyclists around the world?

Enjoy it smart. Be safe.