And he's been recognized by being named the Rookie of the Year, by collecting the most points out of all of the rookies in MotoGP. Having finished in the top 5 over 8 times this season, he took the title by edging out Marco Simoncelli at Philip Island, securing the title. 

Spies was happy to take the title, but wasnt as excited as you'd think, which isn't surprising after winning the WSBK Championship as a rookie:

“I hate to burst everybody’s bubble but the rookie thing is not something I really set out to do,” said Spies. “If I was second I wouldn’t have been upset because everybody was riding well. I’m focused on my own deal and worried about everybody finishing in front of me, and not who has been finishing behind me. It’s an achievement but not something I’ll go and have a beer for. I’m just happy to be fighting and we had a good race.”