After the confirmation of Ben Spies competing for Tech3 Yamaha next season there’s been some confusion about who would take the number 19 plate as both Alvaro Bautista and Ben Spies currently run with it in different championships.
Now it’s been reported that Spies will revert to his original number 11 in his first MotoGP season and also use it during his wildcard entry in Valencia later this year.
It’s been understood that Spies would have liked to keep the 11 in WSBK as well where it’s already been occupied by Troy Corser and that furthermore the Rizla Suzuki Team has already claimed the 19 for Alvaro next year.
So, we can continue to cheer for the already iconic 19. 
UPDATE: According to further reports in the Spanish press, the final numbers were actually not decided by the time of registration with IRTA. Apparently Yamaha also registered Spies with the number 19, but after the final confirmation of his signing IRTA eventually ruled that the number will go to Alvaro as he’s spent a lot more time in the championship than Spies.
Good stuff
19 is pretty much “copyrighted” to him 
It definitely is! And the bestest thing ever would be if it possibly even retired with him one day… We shall wait and see.
No vists necessary to the Talavera Tattoo Reomval Clinic then…