Rizla Suzuki's MotoGP wildcard rider Ben Spies says he couldn't see a thing after 10 laps of today's soaking Indianapolis race and lost out on a fourth place because of it.

The three-times AMA Champion, whose chances of a full-time ride in the series next year have all but dried up, was first GSV-R home this evening and in front of his home crowd.

“It was a good race today for me because my goal was to better my result at Laguna and I did that," said Spies. "I know that I had a fourth place bike today though because the crew had got it working great, but after 10 laps I couldn’t see anything through my visor.

"That was why I never made an attack because I had to follow the other guys around me to see where I was going – I think if I had lost them I would have got caught by everybody.

"I rode as hard as I could and ended the race with a good sixth place. I wish we could have done a bit better, but every time I’m getting on a GP bike I’m getting better results so who knows what’s to come.”