Schwantz says 2009 Suzuki satellite project unlikely

Visiting the Netherlands for the A-Style TT Assen this weekend, returning to a circuit where he tasted premier class victory on three occasions, American hero Kevin Schwantz has confirmed that a plan to bring U.S. AMA Champion Ben Spies into MotoGP on a Suzuki satellite bike next year is now unlikely to reach fruition.

Nonetheless, the MotoGP Legend is still hopeful that Spies could come into the World Championship in 2009, stating that an opportunity with Suzuki could still exist.

Schwantz is likely to act as a manager for Spies as and when the talented 23 year-old joins MotoGP full-time, further to his earlier than expected Donington debut last weekend and his scheduled wildcard appearances later this year at Laguna Seca and Indianapolis.

Commenting on the current situation, Schwantz said, `I think it is just a waiting situation right now. We had some plans for Suzuki and a third bike and I guess with things going the way they are economically that is not going to happen now. There are a couple of different opportunities out there for him, one of which I hope will still be with Suzuki, but I don´t exactly know.´

Reviewing Spies´ efforts in his maiden MotoGP outing in England as a replacement rider for the injured Loris Capirossi, Schwantz commented, `I think Ben did a great job, having the first day dry and the second day wet, and therefore not really getting a feel for one or the other. To finish where he did, score points and not really tear any equipment up was an outstanding job.´

Spies will enjoy the A-Style TT Assen this weekend in the company of Schwantz and the Rizla Suzuki team, having been on standby to ride in the Netherlands in the event of Capirossi´s continued unavailability, with the Italian ultimately able to return to riding his Suzuki GSV-R earlier than expected.