Here's What's Causing Trouble For Joan Mir On The Factory Honda

Here’s What’s Causing Trouble For Joan Mir On The Factory Honda

Categories: MotoGP

While Joan Mir’s Honda colleagues have claimed two podium finishes and a race win, the Spaniard is struggling. He explains his problems.

Honda celebrated its first race win in 539 days at the MotoGP weekend in Austin (USA). However, it was not a factory rider that secured the victory but Alex Rins on the LCR satellite Honda.

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While Alex Rins’ performance curve is pointing strongly upwards and has so far culminated in a race win in Austin, Joan Mir is stagnating on the Facotry Honda.

With five points from the first three race weekends, the Spaniard made the worst start to the season of his career – more was expected from the 2020 World Champion.

Joan Mir knew that the switch from the Suzuki to the Honda would not be easy. However, he had not expected difficulties of this magnitude.

“I can’t ride the way I want to. I can’t use my strengths. It is all very difficult.”

After his crash in Austin, the Spaniard described his main problem on the new bike. He explains:

“I think my riding position on the bike and the ergonomics don’t work with the way I ride. It’s not correct and we have to work on it.”

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"The Bike Has Potential"

But where many other riders would be quick to blame their undercarriage, Mir sees a lot of good in the Honda RC213V. Above all, the performances of his brand colleagues show him that more can be achieved with the package.

“I am convinced that this bike has potential. On a certain track one rider shows it and on another, it is another rider. In Portimao, Marc was competitive for a few laps. Alex showed here that he is fast. Our time has not come yet.”

The Spaniard is also encouraged by the development over one race weekend. On Sundays, he always sees an improvement compared to Friday’s practice.

“On Sunday we always find a little better feeling, but at the beginning of the weekend we are always behind. It is a bit difficult. But there is no doubt that the bike has qualities that I like. And I see potential,” he affirms his confidence in his bike and the team.

On Sunday in Austin, for example, he only needed one overtaking manoeuvre to move up into the fight for fifth place. Before his crash, Mir was stuck behind Yamaha rider Franco Morbidelli for several laps.