Mir rubbishes claims his MotoGP crown devalued by Marquez absence
Newly-crowned 2020 MotoGP world champion Joan Mir says people who suggest that his title has been devalued because of Marc Marquez’s enforced absence “don’t know much about motorcycles”.
Mir finished Sunday’s Valencia Grand Prix in seventh position, having started 12th, which was enough for him to seal the 2020 title with a round to spare.
The Suzuki rider’s triumph comes in one of MotoGP’s most unpredictable seasons, which began with reigning champion Marquez being ruled out through a broken arm suffered at the Spanish GP. At the time, this caused some to question the legitimacy of the 2020 title, though Marquez himself refuted this back in July.
Mir has been the most consistent campaigner in 2020, scoring seven podiums in 12 races – including a maiden victory last weekend in the European GP.
When asked about what he made of claims of illegitimacy, Mir replied: “People who say this, it’s because they do not know much about motorcycles. Marc is not here because they have kidnapped him, they have not gone to his house to kidnap him and he has disappeared.
“Marc was in the first race, risking to win and trying to win the championship, and he made a mistake that cost him the season. That’s it. That this [Marquez’s absence] detracts from the title? Well, it would be necessary to detract from many titles of other riders during history that they won when, in theory, the favourites fell and were not champions.
“This is part of the game, of the sport and of MotoGP. I do not consider this title has less merit to have achieved it because Marquez is not there when he has been injured.”
Honda confirmed earlier this week Marquez would not return to action in 2020, with reports in the Spanish press suggesting he may need a third operation on his injured arm.
Mir’s title is the first for Suzuki in 20 years and makes him just the fourth Spanish rider after Alex Criville, Jorge Lorenzo and Marquez to have won a premier class crown. The 23-year-old also joins an elite list of Barry Sheene, Marco Lucchinelli, Franco Uncini, Kevin Schwantz and Kenny Roberts Jr to have won the premier class title with Suzuki.
Mir "can’t believe" maiden MotoGP title triumph
Yamaha “didn’t have anything” to fight for MotoGP title – Vinales
Suzuka 8 Hours announces new August date to avoid WSBK clash
The 44th edition of the Suzuka 8 Hours has been pushed back a week to August 4-6 to ensure participation of top riders from the World Superbike Championship.
Jeddah reveals F1 track tweaks ahead of 2023 race
The promoters of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix have revealed further tweaks to the Jeddah Formula 1 track layout for next year’s race to improve safety and visibility.
F1 still eyes in-car video screens to replace mirrors, but faces key hurdles
Formula 1’s move to even bigger mirrors in 2023 has again highlighted the problems that drivers face with rearward visibility.
Record crowd prompts Australian GP seating rethink
All grandstands at Albert Park have been redesigned to hold more people following the record Australian Grand Prix crowd earlier this year.
Was the MotoGP 2022 title won by Bagnaia or lost by Quartararo?
Reigning MotoGP world champion Fabio Quartararo had a 91-point lead over rival Francesco Bagnaia after the German Grand Prix, a seemingly impregnable gap to overcome in the remaining 10 races. But as the Frenchman struggled for pace with his Yamaha, Bagnaia stormed back into contention and swept to Ducati's first riders' title since 2007
Why there's more to Honda's 2023 MotoGP bike than the Valencia test suggests
After a run on Honda's 2023 prototype MotoGP bike, six-time champion Marc Marquez made his pessimism clear with his initial reaction. But the Japanese marque has made leadership changes behind closed doors - and a more representative bike promised for the Malaysia test in February could placate Marquez.
Why new MotoGP champion Bagnaia has a stronger character than it seems
While new MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia might not be the loudest rider on the grid, his calm exterior belies a steely backbone. His part in turning around Ducati's fortunes at the start of the year, when displeased with a new engine concept, shows the strength of his character.
Why Bagnaia's MotoGP triumph is as worthy as Stoner's Ducati breakthrough
OPINION: Despite the superiority exhibited by the Ducati in 2022, the context in which Francesco Bagnaia became MotoGP world champion means that both the rider and the Italian marque merit the same recognition that the brand and Casey Stoner received after their 2007 title
Why the 2022 MotoGP season had a bittersweet ending
OPINION: MotoGP’s fifth last round showdown of the modern era delivered a tense finale despite the predictable outcome, as Francesco Bagnaia ended 15 years of pain for Ducati. But as emotions ran high for the Italian marque, a final victory for a departing Japanese rival tinged the campaign’s conclusion with sadness.
Why the 2023 MotoGP title battle has already begun
Since Ducati announced the arrival of Enea Bastianini to its factory team for 2023, the staging of the four-time race winner has strained the atmosphere within the Italian manufacturer, which has raised its guard in anticipation of what may happen between him and championship favourite Francesco Bagnaia.
Why Yamaha has just six months to safeguard Quartararo's future
Yamaha's decision to dispense pre-season with the 2022 engine it had intended to use due to lack of reliability, the promises of improvement to Fabio Quartararo and the advance with which the rider market moves leaves the Japanese brand with less than six months to prevent the Frenchman from starting to look for a way out
The war brewing as Ducati nears its ultimate MotoGP prize
OPINION: Francesco Bagnaia has put one hand firmly on the 2022 MotoGP world title after winning the Malaysian Grand Prix, and the permutations are weighted heavily in his favour heading to the Valencia finale. But as Ducati stands on the cusp of something it has longed for since 2007, the Sepang race also hinted towards a future problem…