CHAMP BACK FOR MIR IN QATAR OPENER
REIGNING Motogp champion Joan Mir starts the new season with a massive target on his back, as his rivals have tipped him as the one to beat.
As the 2021 season starts under floodlights at Qatar, the Suzuki Ecstar rider believes he’s perfectly placed to defend his crown.
The Spanish rider returns with the team which took him to championship glory last year and said: “Last year we saw a lot of people able to win
■ races but not able to keep the consistency.
“So if I have to say who is going to win, I want it to be me.
“We know the Suzuki is a really great bike that works almost everywhere.
“But we come here starting from zero like everyone else.”
Mir’s confidence was backed-up by several rivals who tipped him as the man to beat, including Valentino Rossi, Fabio Quartararo and pre-season favourite Jack Miller.
Miller, who has switched to the factory Ducati Lenovo Team, was fastest in preseason testing but is cautious whether the pace will be enough over a race weekend.
“I feel as ready as I’ve ever been coming in,” said the Australian.
“Testing was good but we can’t rely on that. Conditions on the day were perfect, so we have to come here with an open mind.
“Right now, Joan has to be No.1. He is going to be the one to beat.”
Other movers and shakers this season include Rossi and France’s Quartararo, who have done a straight swap.
Quartararo is now Monster Energy Yamaha team-mate to Maverick Vinales while Rossi joins Franco Morbidelli at Petronas Yamaha.
Rossi, who will begin his 26th season in the Motogp paddock, said: “I’m older but my passion for racing is the same and the excitement leaving pit lane will be the same.”
Multiple champion Marc Marquez continues his battle back from the arm injury which forced him to miss all of 2020.
He is joined in the Repsol Honda team by Pol Espargaro and plans to be back for the third round.
Brits Jake Dixon and Sam Lowes will be challenging in Moto2, while Scotland’s John Mcphee returns for another stab at Moto3.