Front-running Moto2 rookie Joan Mir completes 2019 Suzuki MotoGP line-up

Highly rated Moto2 rider Joan Mir will step up to MotoGP next season after signing a two-year deal with Suzuki, closing the available 2019 factory seats.

He replaces Andrea Iannone, who was last week confirmed to be moving to Aprilia, and will partner Alex Rins. Suzuki is putting its faith in youth, with Mir 20 years old and Rins only 22.

Mir, Moto3 champion in 2017, has scored two podiums in his maiden year of Moto2 and is currently fifth in the standings.

Suzuki team manager, Davide Brivio, said it was meeting Mir that convinced the team to sign the young Spaniard, but was keen to play down expectations. “Joan Mir is only 20 years old now, already a World Champion with an impressive 10 wins last year and he has already proven several skills. He is fierce, he is witty, he is nice and he can be very fast. All the characteristics that we like to search for in a young rider, who wants to join us not only for the prestige of a factory machine in the top class but most of all because he believes in our racing project.

“Talking to him I realised how much he has a clear mind, how much he liked our Suzuki project and wanted to join us. This has been a great boost for us. Of course, we know very well that he will need time to gain experience and grow with us, but we have full confidence in his potential. Suzuki management encouraged us to pursue the ‘young rider philosophy’ and with Joan I think we found the perfect protagonist for this role.

“With Alex and Joan we have two very talented riders and our target is to create a strong Team for the future.”

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