Joan Mir and Repsol Honda continue far from the desired results in MotoGP, but the Qatar GP left some hope with 13th place on a more difficult track for the bike. Next up is the Portuguese GP, where the rider will have more updates on the RC213V and hopes to do better.
The 2020 champion clarified that the base found in Losail will be maintained: ‘We start with the base we had in Qatar. Normally when you find a base during the same year, you simply keep that base on average. You don’t look too much at the data from the previous year because the bike is different. So we start with that base, obviously with the adjustments that this track requires‘.
After the performance in the opening round, Mir is optimistic for Portimão, believing that the circuit may even be more favorable: ‘Qatar is a very difficult track for our bike and we were able to have, let’s say, a reasonable weekend. And this track I believe can be better for our bike in a more natural way, also for my style maybe. So maybe we can be a bit closer to the front. It is important because we will understand more at this track. I am curious to see where we stand on these European tracks and we will see’.
The Mallorcan also revealed: ‘Stefan [Bradl, test rider] has been testing for two days, he is trying different things. It seems that tomorrow we will try some things to see if we can take another step forward and be closer to the front riders. They are aspects of the frame, probably some different components, but I can’t talk much about it, it’s normal. And some things about electronics, some details that are important. We have to take advantage of these concessions’.
