World Champion Joan Mir arrives in Portimao after two Grands Prix in Qatar from which he brought back valuable points for the championship. A grocer's exercise that he knows well since it was by excelling at it last year that he was able to win his MotoGP crown. The Suzuki official, however, wants to show a more conquering face this year and he will have the opportunity this weekend to do so in Portugal. Last year, in fact, he had to endure the agonies of mechanical abandonment so much so that he has a slate to wipe clean with the route. Then, he will meet up with Jack Miller, with whom relations became strained during the Doha race. Last but not least, he will also cross the path of Marc Marquez again…
To Joan mir, this third round of the 2021 calendar of MotoGP will therefore be that of the great reunion. And he doesn’t hide it: “ I can't wait to start the race weekend at Portimao because I have a score to settle with this track » he said. “ Due to a technical problem, I had to withdraw from the race last year, which was a shame. This year I want a different experience. I really like the track and I think it can adapt to the characteristics of the GSX-RR. It will be important to score points and continue to improve. I can't wait to get back in the saddle ».
Joan Mir: “my approach does not change because there is an extra driver”
Nor does it overshadow the return of Marc Marquez, especially on a Honda which he identifies as the ideal motorcycle for this track in the Algarve: “ we will have one more driver in this Grand Prix which is Marc Marquez. We know that this track is suitable for his motorcycle. But my approach doesn't change because there is an extra driver on the track. We'll see how it goes ».
The project manager Shinichi Sahara declares for his part: “ Qatar was not easy. But we learned from it and collected a lot of data that will help us now. In Europe we want to get back on the podium, but it's difficult to predict how the weekend will go because we don't know the track very well ».
alex rins ends for the case Suzuki : " I'm happy to be back at Portimao because it's a circuit that I love and it's a lot of fun to ride there. There is a lot of elevation change and that makes riding a MotoGP very pleasant. I'm delighted to see my team again and to get back behind the wheel. I'm going to give it my all and we'll see how we finish the weekend ».
alex rins et Joan mir are fifth and sixth in the provisional general classification, separated by only one point and 18 lengths from the leader John Zarco.
