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2011 MotoGP Video
Much laughter filled Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) when Ben Spies returned home this week for Laguna Seca MotoGP, the first of two stateside races including Indy in August.
And his longtime sponsor, Alpinestars, greeted the Texan with a late birthday surprise; Spies, who turned 27 on July 11, was greeted by some of the Alpinestars staff with a live Mariachi band, birthday candles and a slice of strawberry cheesecake, as shown in this humorous YouTube video from Alpinestars.
As for Laguna Seca, Round 10 of the 2011 MotoGP Championship, Spies finished sixth last year during his rookie season. But he has much experience at the California track, with four wins at Laguna Seca in AMA Pro Road Racing – three in AMA Superbike, one in the former AMA Xtreme class.
Ben Spies will be competing on the special red and white Yamaha YZR-M1, which celebrates Yamaha’s 50th year in MotoGP racing; when Spies first rode the 50th Anniversary Yamaha in Assen, he took his debut MotoGP win.
