The 2020 MotoGP™ world champion, Joan Mir, sheds light in the latest chapter of his blog on his winter training for a new season with COVID-19, maintaining his #36 on his Suzuki GSX-RR rather than #1, and his thoughts on defending his title in 2021 alongside his teammate Álex Rins against what he sees as a strong group of pilots.
« It's been a while and I thought it was time to talk to you all!
I feel good, I'm happy with the pre-season work I've done so far. I try to ride motorbikes as much as possible, but there has also been a mix of motocross, gym and skimo (short for ski mountaineering); in fact, I haven't really stopped since the end of the championship!
I always trained, I only had a week's vacation with my girlfriend. It might seem a little boring to train all the time, but that's how it is and I like it.
Since I won the title last November, my daily life has not changed. But one thing is different: I am recognized much more! It's strange, because I've never experienced this on this scale. I haven't managed to go to Mallorca yet, but I think it could be another level there!
As you probably saw, I chose to ride again this year with my number 36 instead of number 1. It is very important to me and it represents hard work because, so far, I have won two world championship titles with my number 36, and my goal is to have the chance to get another crown in the future!
I'm really looking forward to running again. It will be another strange season in terms of dealing with the virus (COVID-19), but the way I prepare for the season is still the same, so it's 'business as usual'. No matter how many races we have, I will be prepared. Now we know how to manage these kinds of protocols and reduced schedules, and it's the same for everyone. I hope this year things can return to normal, but everything will be dictated by Covid.
Let's see what kind of season we can have and give it our best! You may have heard me say that I consider myself “the man to beat” but not “the favorite”? It's true that when you win you start the next season as the favorite, but I have to show a lot more than that to be the real favorite. Last year I became champion thanks to my intelligent approach and consistency, not because of my speed. Every season we have to improve and I don't have as much experience as many others yet. I would say the team and I have all the tools necessary to defend the title, and we will definitely try, but my main goal is just to be a better driver.
This season there will be a lot of fast drivers, and if Marc comes back he could be the favorite. But the level is very high and many boys will be competitive. I think it will be really tight.
In Japan everyone has worked really hard, and although our GSX-RR is not the fastest, it is a great bike and is really balanced in all areas. So while we still have progress to make, I don't think the development freeze will be a problem for us. With this strong bike, we have a great chance to achieve good things. I also have a very strong teammate in Alex Rins, so being able to compare data will help us both. Our work ethic and mentality keeps us very strong and that means Suzuki will be aiming for Alex and myself to be at the top.
Of course, Davide left the team and although we will miss him, and that was a big shock, I know that we can still be very successful and that we have a group of amazing people on our team who can do anything manage. We work really well as an entity, so I think it won't make a big difference in the end.
It's true that the pressure will be on my shoulders, but that doesn't bother me and it doesn't cause me problems; I'm just really looking forward to starting the season and racing again. And I think pressure means you're doing really well, so I almost wish it!
I hope everyone around the world is safe. We are going through a difficult time, so we must continue to follow all the protocol and be very careful. It's important for us, the pilots, but also for the whole world. »
