Superbike World Championship contender Ben Spies is likely going to stay in World Superbike and with his Yamaha Motor Italia team, and the announcement could come as soon as next week. “I’m happy with Yamaha,” Spies told Roadracingworld.com Friday morning at Miller Motorsports Park. “We’ve shown some signs of interest that this is where I would like to be. They want me to stay here. Sooner than later people are going to know what is going on. “Yeah, there are other people who are already sending e-mails around saying they would like to talk. But I’m really happy where I’m at, and I’ve made it clear to everyone. This, statistically, has been the worst season I’ve had in a long time, but this has been the most fun I’ve had racing in a long time.” When it was pointed out that he stopped just short of confirming he intends to stay with Yamaha Motor Italia, Spies said, “I wouldn’t say that confirms it. There’s still a few places to ride next year. We’ll see, but I’m really happy with Yamaha. Yeah, we’re going to work on something.” Ben Spies’ mother, Mary Spies, who served as his manager when Spies competed in the AMA Superbike Series but is adamant that she is not his current manager, confirmed that Ben Spies is in the final stages of negotiations with Yamaha and that an agreement could be reached as early as next week. Spies’ original deal with Yamaha Motor Italia and series promoters InFront was negotiated by Doug Gonda, who Spies contracted in 2008 to find and develop deals outside the U.S. Mary Spies said today that an attorney is now handling Ben Spies’ management-related affairs.