Paddocks across the world are currently awash with speculation that former WorldSBK Champion and factory Yamaha MotoGP star Ben Spies is on the verge of a comeback, running his own team in next year’s MotoAmerica championship.

The likeable American was forced to retire four years ago with a shoulder injury that made it impossible to ride at the highest level, so the Texan called it quits and parted company with Pramac Ducati. The shoulder injury stemmed from two previous crashes. It was first injured at Sepang in 2012 and then aggravated at Indianapolis the following year with a suffered a grade-five dislocation. He has undergone multiple surgeries since.

Although nothing concrete has come from the Spies or MotoAmerica camps, Spies has been teasing pictures on social media of new crash helmets and gloves.