The Mallorcan, who in 2020 was in charge of returning the title of the queen category to the Japanese constructor 20 years after the last time (Kenny Roberts Júnior), was perplexed, as were the rest of the troops who were in Jerez , when the leadership of the team informed them of their decision to leave the MotoGP World Championship at the end of 2022.
Joan Mir, who had spent months negotiating its continuity or not dressed in blue, could not even imagine this outcome, especially since there was nothing to suspect that it could occur. After having already left in 2011, the Japanese manufacturer returned in 2015.
His efficiency and dedication to detail led him to win the crown just five years later, and to continue fighting for the most ambitious goals in 2021. This year, both Mir and Alex Rins are in contention for the title, on a motorcycle that It is presented as the most balanced among those who share the grill. For all this, the Balearic seems unlikely to be scared.
“I didn’t suspect it at all. I don’t think even the team manager [Livio Suppo] knew about it, because otherwise he wouldn’t have been negotiating with the rider. I think when Suzuki signed me they didn’t think they were going to retire either. It is very strong. This is a model team in every way,” Mir summed up, before redounding in what seems inexplicable to most.
“If we had seen that we had not just reached [the objectives], well you can imagine it. But we have been there, always. We have given an exemplary image of Suzuki. Of union, of results. Everyone knows the people who works in this team and how special this team is precisely because of its people”, added the rider from Palma.
Regarding his next destination, the #36 says he has nothing closed yet, and insists that he had already decided to prolong his relationship with Suzuki when he found out that this was going to be impossible. “I had made the decision to continue with Suzuki when I found out about his goodbye,” said the two-time world champion (Moto3 and MotoGP), who, obviously, is not averse to the possibility of putting on the Repsol Honda team suit, as Marc Marquez’s partner.
“You go now and ask any pilot if he wants to be a partner of what is surely the best in history. What can be learned from a guy like that is very beastly. Paco [Sánchez, his agent] has a job,” he settled. look.
