Monday, 26 July 2010 04:02 by Alice Margaria

Ben Spies was in contention for the podium at Laguna Seca.  Starting the race on the second row, he maintained a consistent pace at times close to that of the front runners.

On lap 21 he passed Nicky Hayden and began to close on Valentino Rossi, who was in turn gaining on Andrea Dovizioso for the final podium spot.  Then a series of errors from Spies caused him lose ground and eventually finish sixth, but nobody has said that...

The Texan had a serious problem with his helmet. The visor on his HJC would not stay shut and the Texas Terror had to deal with it flying open over the course of the 32 laps.  He was too proud to mention it after the race, not wanting to look like he was making excuses, and so the issue does not appear anywhere in the official Team Tech3 press release.