Having already stood on the podium twice with Honda last year, Joan Mir did even better this Sunday in Catalonia, finishing second behind Fabio Di Giannantonio and his Ducati. The 2020 World Champion came close to his second victory in the season. MotoGPshowing himself to be particularly comfortable in a race which was ultimately contested over twelve laps, following two red flags for the heavy crashes of Álex Márquez and Johann Zarco.
For number 36, this podium finish, still uncertain at the time of writing due to an investigation into incorrect tire pressure, is a real upset after a start to the season marked by four crashes in five Grands Prix and a fifteenth-place finish as his best result, at the Spanish Grand Prix. Mir proved that if he could stay upright, the 2026 Honda RC213V was capable of strong performances.
“It’s incredible. We dreamed of this and worked really hard throughout the first part of the season. There were a lot of crashes, but today I was able to put it all together. I really enjoyed the battle today despite the two red flags and the three restarts; it wasn’t easy. They should give more points for these races!”he said with a smile on his face.
The official Honda rider did, however, spare a thought for the two riders involved in the impressive crashes on Sunday: “I hope Johann and Álex are doing well and that they can be there at Mugello; I wish them all the best.”
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