Mir ready to take on Marquez
Team boss says Suzuki’s champ is up for a tussle with Honda’s main man
MotoGP’s freshly crowned world champion Joan Mir has a New Year wish: the return of a fit and race ready Marc Marquez in 2021.
Mir and Suzuki are readying themselves for a full defence of their classy 2019 title victory and Marquez remains the benchmark rider with six championships and 56 MotoGP race wins since 2013.
There is huge anticipation for the return of Marquez following bone graft surgery on the upper right arm fracture that ended his 2020 campaign at the opening race in Jerez. “For sure Joan wants to race Marc for the championship,” said Suzuki team boss Davide Brivio. “Let’s be clear, in the recent period Marc has been top rider in MotoGP although he was absent from Jerez 2 last year. “Everybody wants to challenge him, respecting that on his record he is the best. Everybody wants to beat Marc and Honda, including Suzuki. We respect what they have achieved.”
‘Everybody wants to beat Marc and Honda’
Brivio is confident that Mir, at 23, has untapped potential.
“Joan is still young with room to learn both technically with the GSX-RR and in terms of fighting against top riders. He’s raced at the front with guys like Quartararo, Morbidelli, Rins and Rossi so you get to know your rivals.
“When Marc returns Joan will need to understand how to fight with him. He can do it. He is just at the beginning of his MotoGP journey. And for sure there is some pressure on Suzuki to deliver. We feel an obligation to improve and defend the title and be fighting for wins at every race.”