Rookies look good
Mir and Bagnaia surprise the established stars
MotoGP rookie Joan Mir was the buzz of the paddock in his first official outing on the Suzuki GSX-RR at Valencia after ending the two-day test just one second off fastest man Maverick Viñales despite not going all out to set a fast lap at the end of the test like the majority of riders. Although not the fastest of the MotoGP newcomers, that honour went to new Moto2 world champion Pecco Bagnaia on the Pramac Ducati who was 0.3 seconds quicker, it was nonetheless Mir everyone was talking about due to his approach and steep learning curve.
But while Mir may not have topped Valencia’s timesheets he certainly impressed his team technicians who reported that, despite his acute lack of MotoGP experience, their new boy was already able to identify issues with his style, learn from other riders and immediately correct what he’s doing on track.
“I’m happier with the pace we have than with the position because it’s after only two days’ testing. Considering it’s the first test we’re close, but I still need to learn the lines for a MotoGP bike and how to exit the corners. But I’ve always enjoyed riding bikes with more power so I think I can adapt pretty quickly.”
And while Mir has much to learn he has the right approach to learning it, according to his crew chief Frankie Carchedi.
Also new to Suzuki team, Carchedi is a veteran who took Leon Camier to British Superbike glory back in 2009. He told MCN he has confidence in the 21-year-old’s potential.
“On every exit from the garage he’s smiling, and when we tell him to come in it seems to mean ‘do another three laps’ to him; he’s enjoying it that much. All he wants to do is learn so all we’ve done for two days is fuel and tyres and we’re just letting him ride around. In fact, in some sense, you have to be a little careful with him because he’s so adaptable and wants to learn so much that whatever you say, he goes and does it right away.”
And while Mir has been concentrating on learning his trade on the 2018 bike, teammate Alex Rins, who finished the test seventh, tackled Suzuki’s new 2019 machine and said that there’s plenty more to come as the team looks to turn this season’s incredible secondhalf performance into a genuine title challenge next year.
“The new engine has more power everywhere,” Rins told MCN. “Suzuki have done a great job with it. It’s much better on the straight and when exiting the corner, too, and we just need to concentrate on adjusting the electronics now to suit it and get it all working together.”
Spaniard impresses on MotoGP debut
2nd fastest rookie in test
Crew chief full of praise