From the outside, one podium in the first four races may not look like a successful start to your MotoGP™ title defence. That’s 38 points more than Mir had at this stage last season. And unfortunately for Mir at the Qatar GP, Ducati were able to unleash theirs at the wrong time for the number 36. Mir clearly isn’t worried about his start to the 2021 season: “In Qatar I fought for the podium, in Portimao we were on the podium, I think I’m having a good season… what is expected of us, to win everything?” And he has a point. So, including the 2020 Styrian GP, Mir has had 10 front row starts in his 90 races so far, yet he’s a two-time World Champion.

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