Joan Mir has officially been presented as Repsol Honda rider, with the 2020 World Champion forming part of a formidable factory line up alongside eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez. The Japanese brand hope the shake up will see them restore some former glories, and ahead of what they hope will be an all conquering season, why not get to know the Mallorcan star a little better below?
1. Mir has had the #36 on the front of his motorcycle since debuting on the World Championship stage in 2015. He considers it his lucky number as it is the one his cousin Joan Perello wore during his 125cc racing days in 2010 and 2011.
2. It’s not uncommon for riders to have a pre-race ritual, and the Mallorcan is no different. When putting on his leathers, he puts his right boot and glove on first. He also touches his head and wood prior to going out on track, while mounting the bike from the left-hand side. Curiously, he dumped an old pre-race ritual of wearing blue underwear as he felt it brought him bad luck after a number of crashes and poor results.
3. The Mallorcan's skills on the track are there to see for all, but as adept as the 2020 World Champion is on circuit, he still doesn’t have a motorbike licence.
4. Mir can depend on his trainer and assistant Tomas Comas to be with him at every race. He also admitted that three-time World Champion and current KTM Test Rider Dani Pedrosa would form part of his dream coaching ticket.
5. The Suzuki man is a big football fan, with Barcelona his preferred team despite being from the island of Mallorca. However, after his 2020 success, he did pay RCD Mallorca’s home ground a visit.
6. A proud family man, Mir married his wife Alejandra in 2021, while he credits her plus his father, godfather and other family members as the ones who have got him where he is today. In terms of kids, well he only has Dakota, Kirby and Bruno – his dogs – to take care of for now.
7. Mir does have some musical talent too, admitting he can spin a tune on the flute!
8. Part of the younger generation of talent coming through, Mir was one of many fans turned riders who Valentino Rossi inspired. It comes as little surprise then that the MotoGP™ Legend is top of the list for the perfect teammate from the past for Mir. The Italian’s iconic overtake on Jorge Lorenzo at the 2009 Catalan Grand Prix is even Mir’s favourite moment from MotoGP™ history, while he would love to race at Laguna Seca, the scene of a race for the ages between Casey Stoner and Rossi.
10. What would Mir do if he were to become a two-time World Champion? Well, he has promised us that he’ll go for the slim shady look and dye his hair white should he be crowned the king of the premier class again.