Joan Mir lashes out at critics undermining his 2020 MotoGP world championship triumph, branding their dismissal as disrespectful and unjust.
Six years after clinching the title with Suzuki, Mir remains exasperated by the persistent narrative that his achievement ‘doesn’t count’ in the elite pantheon of MotoGP champions.
Mir’s 2020 campaign was a masterclass in consistency rather than sheer dominance. Despite winning just one race in a Covid-19 pandemic-shortened season, the Spaniard secured podium finishes in half of the 14 races and suffered only two DNFs en route to the crown. His title was a rare break from the Honda, Yamaha, and Ducati stronghold, making him the sole rider of the MotoGP era to claim the championship on a different manufacturer’s bike. He dethroned Marc Marquez, who was sidelined for nearly the entire season due to a broken arm.
Speaking candidly in an interview with Moto.it, Mir expressed profound frustration over the perceived lack of respect for his title. “I don’t know if people think I ‘raced alone’ that year, or if you don’t win with a Honda, Yamaha, or Ducati, you don’t count,” he stated. Highlighting the historical significance, Mir reminded that he ended Suzuki’s 27-year wait for a world champion, a feat last achieved by Kevin Schwantz in 1993.
“When I joined Suzuki, I embraced the challenge of bringing them a championship after more than two decades. I wanted to achieve something unique,” Mir added. “Yet, people haven’t truly valued that victory, which is frankly impressive considering the circumstances.”
During the 2020 season, Mir overcame stiff competition from the likes of Franco Morbidelli of the Petronas Yamaha SRT and his own teammate Alex Rins. Despite Marquez’s absence, Mir’s path to the title was anything but straightforward.
Following his championship year, Mir finished third in 2021. However, Suzuki’s exit from MotoGP in 2022 forced him into a factory Honda ride. The transition proved challenging, with Mir competing alongside an injury-affected Marquez for just one season before Marquez moved to Gresini Ducati.
“I would have preferred to race alongside Marquez in different conditions,” Mir reflected. “The 2022 bike wasn’t competitive, and I wish I could have been with him during his winning years in 2018 and 2019. When we were teammates, it was a tough year for him, even without the injuries.”
At 28, Mir has managed two podiums on Honda machinery but has struggled with increased crashes as he pushes the limits of an underperforming bike. Looking ahead, Mir is set to join Gresini Racing next season, where he will team up with Moto2 rookie Daniel Holgado.