If there was one who was happy to see the Suzuki colors in the MotoGP firmament on the evening of the Valencia Grand Prix, it was Kevin Schwantz. The Texan is an icon of the brand. The American never betrayed her. He was always there, even in the less glorious hours which still lasted 20 years. But the Kenny Roberts Jr page is finally turned with a Joan Mir full of future. With or without Marc Marquez, ensures the legendary No. 34…
Joan mir has already confessed his respect and affection towards his elder Kevin schwantz to whom he launched the idea, through the media, of a big dinner where the two champions would talk about motorcycles, and past and future generations. For his part, the American was quick to congratulate his successor at Suzuki, insisting on the fact that we are only at the beginning of the Majorcan epic.
Schwantz declared to Marca: “ Joan Mir is 23 years old but with the maturity he has shown, the speed, the consistency throughout the season, he can certainly win more titles against Márquez. He made a mistake at the beginning, but everyone has made mistakes this year. Some cost more points than others. This is how this game plays. You had to be there until the end and that's what Joan did ».
With this certainty, Kevin schwantz closes the chapter of a crown devalued because acquired in the absence of the one who had firmly screwed it on the head since 2013, 2015 vintage excepted. “ Joan Mir deserved this championship. Nobody gave it to him. Yes, we can say: where was Marc Márquez? But he wasn't lost. He was doing his job. He wasn't there because he was injured. Nothing more to say, there is nothing that could take away its merits. He made a mistake and part of racing is making mistakes in the world championship. Joan Mir won this title. He can say: “I won this championship and everyone was there. Also Marc Márquez, because he was there at the beginning. Then he was out for the rest of the races, but he was there at the start of the season ».
“It’s great and it makes me very happy”
The former of Suzuki also spoke about his teammate: “ Rins showed great speed late in the season, but he was in a big hole for part of it due to his injury early on. He missed that race, came back in the next one, but couldn't run well. He also made a mistake in Austria, even though he was ahead and had a good chance of winning. Joan also saw this red flag which prevented her from winning. Suzuki needed to score a few more wins. Both drivers did an excellent job. IThey both have a bright future ahead of them ».
Kevin schwantz finished : " what Joan Mir achieved, and also with Álex Rins, is thanks to the efforts of the team. This world championship is thanks to the development that the team has made with the bike. They gave good instructions and got good feedback. All the engineers on the team, including those from Hamamatsu, did an excellent job. It's great to see it and it makes me very happy ».
