The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya recently staged a very special event: a meeting between reigning MotoGP™ World Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and FC Barcelona new arrival Pedro González López, better known as Pedri. Dorna Sports and FC Barcelona, with cooperation from Suzuki, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and Rocco’s Ranch, brought the two stars together in March to meet, compare a few notes and talk about their shared passions.
Pedri is a fan of both MotoGP™ and Mir, and Mir a fan of both FC Barcelona and Pedri – making a perfect mixture for the two superstars to meet up and share their experiences. The meeting took place as part of a new documentary series following Pedri’s first year at FC Barcelona, the aptly named “Soñando Juntos” (Dreaming Together), which is already streaming on BARÇA TV+. This episode featuring Mir is set to premier on the 17th of March.
I had a very special visit in one of my training sessions, do you remember? ????
— JoanMir36 (@JoanMirOfficial) March 12, 2021
Tuve una visita muy especial en uno de mis entrenamientos, ¿os acordáis? ????@MotoGP @suzukimotogp @FCBarcelona @Pedri @Circuitcat_es pic.twitter.com/fdFy37qBis
On the day itself, Mir gave Pedri a taste of Flat Track with Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) and then showed him around his Suzuki GSX-RR, letting the Tenerife native sit on the bike as well as watch some high-octane laps. Not forgetting the wheelies, as the MotoGP™ World Champion popped a few for Pedri and his brother Fernando, with whom he normally watches MotoGP™. There was also a bit of a kickaround – even in leathers – as Pedri showed off some of his skills, with Mir getting a few tips from football royalty. Not everyone gets a taste of elite sport up so close and personal, but the experience proved a special one for both!
Pedri: "It’s been a spectacular day, being here with Joan was a special day for me because he has such a big future and what he’s achieving… I wish him all the luck in the world in continuing to do what he’s doing! When I try new things I always like to ask about what I’m doing, what I’m talking about, and he was a great teacher! I’m really grateful.
"What surprised me was dirt track, I didn’t know he trained on dirt and it seems a big change to me to train on dirt to race on tarmac, but Joan explained it’s about balance. I think there’s a lot of good comes from it, on dirt you can slide more and I was amazed what he was doing on the dirt!
"We’re in similar situations, coming from nowhere and in a year so much has changed so quickly. He’s a great person and you can see how humble he is. More than anything, just keep working like this, he’s doing so well… and I will keep working as I am to achieve the goals we set ourselves!
"What to take away from MotoGP is the winning mentality. They have such a competitive mindset… and the hours of training they do. They work a lot! From now on I'm going to follow Joan even more as a rider after meeting him and getting taught a few things! I'll be watching the races with my brother who loves MotoGP."
Joan Mir: “It was fun! I always like to do something different, and it was my pleasure to meet Pedri and some staff from FCB. I’m happy and proud about the day, I had a lot of fun, we burned a bit of rubber! A different day but a fun day.
"It’s a different story, nothing gives you the feeling of power like MotoGP. It’s different and he was really enjoying it, and the wheelies on the straight. It’s strange the first time you put leathers on and I was teaching him how to do that. It’s something out of his control that he’s never done it before, and for sure if I had to go to Camp Nou one day that would be strange for me! So the leathers were a bit outside his comfort zone!
"I’m looking forward to, once the Covid situation gets better, inviting him to a race to come to the Suzuki box to enjoy the MotoGP experience – and see if I can go to Camp Nou!"
Check out Pedri and Mir's meeting in the next episode of the documentary on BARÇA TV+, available from the 17th of March!