UPDATED Ben Spies: Out At Least Three To Four Weeks
Paul Carruthers | August 17, 2013
INDIANPOLIS, IN, AUG. 17 – Pramac Ducati’s Ben Spies has suffered a grade-three separation of his left shoulder, the result of a crash early in the third free practice session this morning at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Spies, who was returning finally returning to action after suffering an injury to his right shoulder early in the season, was visibly depressed and in pain as he walked to the Alpinestars hospitality area moments ago – his left arm in a sling.
“It’s a bummer,” the luckless Spies said. “It’s a grade-three separation. I’m not sure on surgery yet, but I’ve done this before and it’s three to four weeks no matter what.”
Spies will have further checks on the collarbone on Monday to decide his best option for recovery.
Cycle News caught up with Spies again moments ago and he explained what happened in his crash. According to the Texan, unlike on the Yamaha he rode last year, traction control on the Ducati doesn’t become enabled until you shift into second gear. Spies was in first gear out of the pits and through the first few corners on his outlap when he was highsighsided in turn four – having not yet shifted into second gear.
“On the Yamaha, unless you were in launch control, the TC is turned on,” Spies explained. “On the Ducati the TC doesn’t come on until you’re in second gear. I guess I should have known that or someone should have told me.”
Paul Carruthers | Editor
Paul Carruthers took over as the editor of Cycle News in 1993 after serving as associate editor since starting his career at the publication in 1985. Carruthers has covered every facet of the sport in his near-28-year tenure at America's Daily Motorcycle News Source.
