My main goal is to defend my MotoGP title, says Joan Mir
Joan Mir Mayrata, having won his maiden World title in MotoGP last season, hopes to ride on the newly-gained confidence and successfully defend his crown. The 23-year old Spaniard, astride the Team Suzuki Ecstar machine, shrugged off a rather wayward start in the pandemic-marred 2020 championship, and performed with stunning consistency to top the leaderboard on the back of one win in Valencia apart from a string of podium finishes that underlined his undoubted class and talent. “My main goal in the 2021 season is to defend my title,” he asserted during a one-on-one interview with INDIAinF1.com (Courtesy EuroSport India) ahead of the season-opener in Qatar this weekend. EuroSport India will broadcast MotoGP races in India this season.
The excerpts:
Anand Philar: Congratulations Mir, on winning the 2020 World Championship.
Joan Mir: Thank you very much.
AP:Before the season, you had to go through the pandemic and the lockdown, and when the season started, you had a couple of hiccups in the first three races.How did you get through all these challenges?
JM: Well, it (the pandemic) is something that we are not able to control, no? It is important not to think too much about it, just focus and train everyday, and be well-prepared for the first race. At this time last year, we did not know where and when will be the first race. But we have to train, it is our work.
AP: When the season started, you did not have a very good first three races. What went into your mind at that stage?
JM: It was a difficult situation. I was strong and I was fast, but I was not able to show my potential. And it was so frustrating. But we did a great job from then onwards and I was able to fight for the podium later for the entire season. I was confident from then on.
AP: Can you please talk us through your first win in Valencia, and what it meant to you?
JM: In Valencia, the victory was the key to win the Championship. Because I was able to win in the moment of huge pressure and I was not scared of the pressure. I handled it well and was able to make a win out of the pressure. So, it was a super special moment because the season was coming to an end, and I was not able to win a race despite leading the championship. So I thought, how is it that I am not able to win? For some reason I was not able to win. So in the end, it came. I made it possible. Yea!
AP: Was there a lot of pressure at that point to win?
JM: Yes, yes. There was a lot of pressure. But I managed to be myself. I was not scared of the pressure. It did not scare me, but it inspired me.
AP: From your Red Bull rookie days to the present, how much have you evolved as a rider?
JM: A lot! I always used to take the opportunity even in the days of Red Bull… I was listed and it was difficult for me to manage big Moto3 bike and every year, I was able to improve and go up… and go up. This means that we all adopted so quickly to the new categories (Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP).
AP: So did you make changes in your riding style and technique?
JM: Yeah, yeah. In the end, the style is always the same, but you improve the positions, sitting on the bike, you sit more in the front or in the back, how you position yourself, the hands, these changes you can see… in these I try to improve.
AP: Is there any one difference that helped you in 2020 season to win the Championship? What is it, one factor that made the difference?
JM: It is the consistency. It is the one factor that made all the difference for me to win the Championship.
AP: What is your target for 2021 season?
JM: My target is to defend the title. To win the Championship again!
AP: And you have the bike for that? Did you make any major changes in the bike for this season?
JM: I think yes. I feel great with the bike and it is not a big difference from the bike of the last season. It is the same. There are small things that we changed and we will be able to do it. Let us see…
AP: So you feel this new season (2021), the bike is much more quicker, much more improved?Did you make a lot of improvements?
JM: My bike is the same. It is not much more quicker because the engine is the same, but we made improvements in small areas. But I am a little more comfortable on the bike. But we know that the Ducatis are stronger and also Yamahas, Hondas… Let us see.
AP: Now the new season starting this week-end, do you feel a lot of pressure? You are World champion and there are a lot of expectations from fans, from the team?
JM: No. Somehow, I am comfortable and I feel no pressure for some reason. But yes, as last year’s winner, some pressure will be there, but I am happy and ready to go because it is the pressure that made me give something more. So I am happy.
AP: Do you go through any special routine to deal with this kind of expectations in terms of your mental preparation and approach?
JM: I have something that I always follow. I will always be focussed…When I change, when I put the leather on, there are some things that I always follow. I always start with the right. Right boot with the right leg, then with the right hand, that is right arm, and the right glove…This is something that helps me to go with less pressure, to focus and concentrate and puts me in race mode. Apart from that, at home, I try not to think of too many things and I try to focus.
AP: What is your target for this season?
JM: To fight for the title. My target is to defend the title, to win the Championship.
AP: And how confident are you?
JM: I am fully confident. I think the title last year gave me extra confidence and will fight for it this year.
Telecast: The MotoGP 2020 season will start with a triple-header beginning with the Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar this weekend at the Losail International Circuit, which will also host the Tissot Grand Prix of Doha, on Easter Sunday. EuroSport India, will telecast all the rounds this season in India. Dish TV Channel 630 (SD) and 639 (HD); D2h (India) Channel 410 (SD); Tata Sky Channel 496 (SD) 495 (HD); Sun Direct 517 (SD) 989 (HD); Airtel Digital TV 304 (SD) 305 (HD);
Disclosure: EuroSport India facilitated the interview with World Champion Joan Mir.
