Portimao podium feels ‘unbelievable, this type of weekend was needed’ - Mir

Joan Mir has claimed a first MotoGP podium since Aragon after taking a commanding second place at Portimao; ‘I’m so happy with this podium. It’s not so much about the result, it’s more about the weekend that we did. It was unbelievable’.

Robert Jones

07 Nov 2021

Joan Mir, Algarve MotoGP race, 7 November 2021
© Gold and Goose

Suzuki rider Joan Mir has claimed his first MotoGP podium in five races after taking second place behind Francesco Bagnaia at Portimao.

Leading up to today’s result, Mir had arguably put together his most consistent weekend of the year after being competitive in every practice session.

That feeling was only enhanced after claiming a first MotoGP front row during qualifying, and while the Spaniard wasn’t able to challenge Bagnaia for a first win of the year, it remains a result that was very much needed according to last year’s champion.

"Honestly, I’m so happy with this podium. It’s not so much about the result, it’s more about the weekend that we did. It was unbelievable," said Mir.

"I felt so good from the first moment and I was able to be competitive from FP1. Then everything, like when you feel great with the bike and the base is good everything comes easily.

"This type of weekend was what I needed. With weather conditions being more normal I was able to do more laps with my bike, more laps in normal conditions.

"Today Pecco [Bagnaia] was just better than me and he was able to ride in a more effective way, let's say, because to be at that pace (mid 1m 39s) I was making more mistakes than him.

"He was not making one. I was waiting all the whole race but it never came."

One of the reasons for Mir’s big step forward this weekend was the team’s second evolution of the rear ride height device being introduced.

With the first one being on display earlier this year - was relatively inconsistent, the second prototype has been a nice improvement and one that aided the GSR-RR’ acceleration.

Speaking about the device, Mir added: "For sure I was using the device (second generation ride height device). It’s something I think everyone is using and it gives more on the acceleration, this is clear.

"And yeah, that was one of the points that we improved to be here to do the weekend that we did.

"For sure, it was one of the key points because I know that without the device we; I don’t know about this track, but in some places you get a lot more acceleration because you get less wheelie. This is the main thing.

"With this device we have to improve it more, that’s for sure, because it’s only the second prototype. For next year we will have something better for sure."

Along with what should be a third evolution of the ride height device in 2022, Suzuki are also bringing a whole new engine and chassis to the table - drastic changes that were needed for the reigning champion’s.