Frustration as Spies loses out to Dovi again

Ben Spies says he has more potential than he was able to show during the 2012 German Grand Prix after being beaten to the podium by Andrea Dovizioso for the second week in succession.

The Yamaha rider has endured a torrid start to the 2012 season aboard the factory Yamaha, but while consecutive fourth place finishes at Assen and the Sachsenring signal a much needed haul of points' for the American, he was disappointed to again be finishing behind satellite M1 rider Dovizioso.

Blaming a lack of grip from the Bridgestone tyres, though Spies feels he had better pace than Dovizioso in the closing stages, he was unable to make it past.

"It was a frustrating race, but I guess we have to be happy with a top five. We had a lot more potential but we did the best we could with the set-up we had. We didn't have enough edge grip and acceleration so I had to sit behind Dovi and Cal and wait.

"I could see Cal was getting a little impatient and wanting to pass Dovi so I was hoping he would and maybe clear a spot for me to get by. I had a good pace but not enough to out-brake them so had to play a waiting game."