Finding your place in the Grand Prix is not easy. And even less so when you are not part of any particular sector and you do not have the means to monetize your position other than through your results alone. You then need great conviction, perseverance, a hint of success and a good manager who does not only think about his interests. An obstacle course strewn with pitfalls that some still managed to succeed. For example, Joan Mir.
Joan mir is a 3 vintage Moto2017 World Champion and now an official Suzuki in MotoGP. His first season at this level took place this year and it resulted in ten top 10 results, a 12e place in the championship, a fifth place in Australia as best ranking. But also a serious lung injury following a violent fall during a test in Brno.
A journey that was not easy, but the one he took to get to this level was no less complicated. The 22-year-old Majorcan is therefore already seasoned with difficulties, a quality that his manager Paco Sanchez described as follows: “ One way or another, Joan was difficult to fit. I met him for the first time in the summer or autumn of 2013. At that time, an acquaintance from Mallorca called me and told me about a talent who wanted to apply for the Rookies Cup. So I picked up the phone and called Alberto Puig, who is responsible for talent selection there. I asked him to keep an eye on Joan Mir. Then he called me and told me that Joan had made a good impression, that he was talented ", remember Sanchez on Speedweek.
Good dispositions confirmed in 2014 with a second place in the 2014 Red Bull Rookies Cup behind George Martin. But he didn’t interest anyone in the paddock: “ I raced in all the Grand Prix teams in Moto3 and Moto2, I knocked and announced Joan for 2015. Nobody wanted it. There was no interest in Supersport either. His parents had no money, we could only offer the pilot's talent. Finally, I collected some money and placed Joan in one of the poorer teams in CEV Moto3. In 2015, he had to ride a 2012 bike against the teams of Alzamora–Monlau and Ajo Motorsport, who were on the track with World Championship level equipment. Nevertheless, Joan Mir won the first two races. After that, I was completely convinced of its speed. For 2016 we got a contract with Leopard–KTM, he won the Austrian Grand Prix and a few more places on the podium. We stayed with Leopard for 2017. »
We know the rest with ten victories and eighteen races and the title. Here he is at Suzuki alongside ÁLex Rins, a team that its manager knows well since he also manages the interests of Maverick Vinales. A double mission which has its anecdote: “ Maverick wants exclusivity. He only agreed to Joan because he probably didn't think he would enter MotoGP so quickly… In motorcycle racing, it is not common for a manager to take care of several riders. I managed Pol Espargaró, Kallio and Rabat during the 2 Moto2013 World Championship. It worked well. In 2014, Rabat and Kallio were first and second at Marc VDS in the World Cup. There was no conflict. »
Paco Sanchez is happy that Joan Mir is not one of those teenagers who sacrificed their childhood for motorcycle sport: “ he entered the World Championship at 18 and was a MotoGP rider at 21. I think that's ideal. We let the pilots have their childhood, they can let off steam and go to school. And when they come to the championship, we do not have to negotiate with parents or grandparents, but with them, who are of legal age and are allowed to sign. They are no longer children and are aware that this sport can also be dangerous. »
