Motorcycling-Teenager's death overshadows best finish for Spies

INDIANAPOLIS Aug 30 (Reuters) - American Ben Spies had a bitter-sweet taste in his mouth after finishing second in the Indianapolis MotoGP just hours after a 13-year-old had become the youngest rider to die in a crash at the venue.

In a race sanctioned by the U.S. Grand Prix Racers Union, Peter Lenz fell off his bike and landed on the track during a warmup lap at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday.

The American teenager tried to get up but was then struck by a 12-year-old rider. Lenz was given medical treatment trackside and died hours later in hospital.

"I was riding my heart out for him (Lenz)," Spies told reporters after finishing second in the main event behind Spaniard Dani Pedrosa, the American's best finish in his first full season in MotoGP.

"It definitely did put a damper before the race but, when the green flag goes, you've got to look straight ahead and hope it will give me some motivation out there.

"You try to put the stuff out of your head as much as you can but ... he had been injured just over a year ago and I sent some stuff to him when he was in the hospital."

Lenz, who began racing aged just five, was sidelined for the second half of last year after breaking several bones in a crash at Portland International Raceway.

DEVASTATING BLOW

His death on Sunday came as a devastating blow for twice former superbike world champion Colin Edwards, who knew the young rider and his father very well.

"I was shattered after I heard the news," said Edwards, who retired from the Indianapolis MotoGP after 17 laps because of tyre trouble.

"I have known Peter for a while and am good friends with him and his dad. They were in and out of my motorhome this weekend and when I heard the news my heart ached. In the end, I decided to race. I knew it was what I had to do."

The death of Lenz, the first at the famous 'brickyard' circuit since IndyCar driver Tony Renna was killed during testing in Oct. 2003, is certain to spark debate over whether young riders should be competing at such venues.

Spies, the 2009 superbike world champion who began riding in the 125cc class aged 12, had no doubts.

"It's a normal racetrack and racing incidents happen," the 26-year-old said. "From what I understand, it was a pure racing accident.

"The fact is, it's going to happen again at some point to somebody and we hate it, but we know what's going on when we put a helmet on. We know what can happen."

(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Greg Stutchbury; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)