Joan Mir’s uncompromising method to racing, mixed with the constraints of his Honda, resulted in simply two finishes within the opening six races of the MotoGP season.
Mir’s first no-score was resulting from extreme tire put on points at Buriram, however after crashing within the earlier 4 races within the Dash and GP, he remounted and completed fifteenth within the COTA Dash.
However this was additionally his solely mistake of the season, with no crashes in observe, qualifying or warm-up.
Consequently, Mir’s mere three championship factors are troublesome to learn, however his whole of 4 crashes is fewer than title chief Marco Bezzecchi.
Mir’s 4 crashes put him in keeping with seven different riders, together with high KTM rider Pedro Acosta, high Ducati rider Fabio Di Giannantonio and Aprilia’s title runner-up Jorge Martin (see beneath for full checklist).
“I like to begin a race understanding I’ve an opportunity,” defined Mir, who was fifth on the grid at COTA.
“Because of this, essentially the most mentally troublesome interval for me was 23 and 24. I do not wish to undergo it once more…”
“It is enjoyable when you’ve got the choice to struggle for one thing huge, and that is why you are going to have plenty of crashes.
“However I needed to do it at COTA. I’ve no regrets in any respect. I believe my crew helps me that approach.”
Joan Mir chases third place Pedro Acosta within the 2026 US MotoGP Dash.
© Gold & Goose
Mir’s current dash crash at COTA was notably brutal.
The Spaniard crashed on the ultimate lap whereas pushing to shut the hole to Acosta by 0.3 seconds and take Honda’s first podium of the season.
As an alternative, Mir crashed and Acosta was then penalized for tire strain, that means Mir would inherit third place even when he did not cross the KTM rider.
On this Grand Prix, he led the Honda problem, resulting in a reasonably early retirement from sixth place on the sixth lap.
Mir believes the danger concern is as a result of RCV’s habits throughout braking, particularly in race situations.
“We have to enhance the entrance and the rear to be extra relaxed,” defined Mir, who took two podiums with Honda late final season.
“Realistically, when you don’t do this, it’s going to be troublesome to compete towards different groups until you are taking a threat.”
“While you’re alone, you possibly can trip very quick and really safely. However behind somebody carrying this aero, it’s a must to take the identical threat to cease.”
“If it’s a must to recuperate (time) it’s a must to take double dangers and that will increase your probabilities of being on the bottom.
“That is what’s occurring and why I am crashing increasingly in races. That is the reason.”
Marco Bezzecchi’s Aprilia 2026 US MotoGP Dash.
© Gold & Goose
2026 MotoGP can be faraway from the checklist after 3 rounds:
Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia): 6 waterfalls
Pedro Acosta (KTM): 4 falls
Fabio Di Giannantonio (Ducati): 4
Alex Marquez (Ducati): 4
Jorge Martin (Aprilia): 4
jack miller (Yamaha): 4
joan mille (Honda): 4
Franco Morbidelli (Ducati): 4
Ai Ogura (Aprilia): 4
blood binder (KTM): 3 falls
Marc Marquez (Ducati): 3
Toprak Razgatriol (Yamaha): 3
Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati): 2 falls
Luca Marini (Honda): 2
Diogo Moreira (Ducati): 2
Johann Zarco (Honda): 2
Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha): 1 autumn
alex rins (Yamaha): 1
maverick vinales (KTM): 1*
Raul Fernandez (Aprilia): 0 falls
Fermin Aldeguer (Ducati): 0*
*Not all contributors participated in all occasions.
