MotoGP: Current Moto2 Rider Joan Mir To Replace Suzuki ECSTAR’s Andrea Iannone In 2019

Joan Mir is all set to step into Aprilia-bound Andrea Iannone’s shoes for next year's MotoGP season. The 20-year-old 2017 Moto3 world champion from Spain will be paired alongside 22-year-old Alex Rins, who has officially been retained back in May.

Joan Mir made his debut in the Moto3 World Championship back in 2015 and raced in the same class for the next two years. In 2016 he managed to clinch 3 podium finishes, standing in at first, second and third – but most importantly, those wins gave him the confidence to fight for the championship in the upcoming season.

Mir proved his worth as a rider when he won the Moto3 title in his second year. He then went on to clinch a total of 10 wins in 2017, thus cementing his reputation further and scoring the best lightweight class tally since Marc Marquez’s 125cc title run in 2010. The Spaniard, currently in his rookie Moto2 year, was quick to adapt to the bike and the riding style, and now sits fifth overall in the standings, having picked up back-to-back podiums at Le Mans and Mugello.

Suzuki’s philosophy has always revolved around searching for and nurturing young talent, and the young rider’s signing is a testament to that belief. Although, this also puts the team in a similar situation as the time they signed current Yamaha rider Maverick Vinales. Hungry for wins, the young rider impressed everyone at Suzuki with his aggressive riding style. However, he was eventually snagged by the folks from Yamaha. Suzuki might extend Mir’s contract to 4 years to avoid being in a similar situation.