Ben Spies is to retire from motorcycle racing. The shoulder injuries the Texan suffered in the past year have cast doubts over whether his shoulders will ever be strong enough to race a motorcycle again, and so Ducati and Spies have come to a mutual agreement for Spies to terminate their contract after just one year. Accordingly, Spies’ retirement leaves the second seat at Pramac Ducati vacant for 2014. Spies retirement brings to an end a spectacularly successful career. What Spies will do next is unknown, but the Texan already has several business interests, and speculation is already commencing over who will take the second seat at Pramac Ducati.