Lone rider Mir prepares for second Honda Team Grand Prix
Mar 30, 2023
Buenos Aires [Argentina], March 30 : Joan Mir will be the sole representative of the Repsol Honda Team at the Gran Premio Michelin de la Republica Argentina as Marc Marquez recovers from surgery.
Riders and team headed immediately for the airport to begin the day-long journey from Portimao to Termas de Rio Hondo. This is the eighth occasion that the 4.81-kilometre-long circuit in the north of Argentina will host a Grand Prix event.
Marc Marquez and the Repsol Honda Team have stepped onto the podium's top step on three occasions in Argentina during 2014, 2016 and 2019 editions of the race. In 2018, Cal Crutchlow won aboard the RC213V of the LCR Honda Team.
Joan Mir also boasts a strong record at the South American circuit, only once finishing a race outside the top five - when he was seventh in just his second Moto2 race. Recovering from a DNF in Saturday's Sprint Race, Mir took a solid 11th place - despite a long lap penalty. The race served as a great source of information for Mir and his team to further their understanding of the RC213V and putting together a strong and consistent weekend in Argentina is the objective.
Marc Marquez will continue his recovery from surgery on a broken first metacarpal of his right hand.
"A busy start to the year as we are already heading straight to the next race! For us, still in the learning stages, this is a positive because we are able to get more time on the bike and immediately try out some new ideas. We had a mixed weekend in Portimao, so I am hoping everything can run without incident this weekend and I can get more miles on the bike. This is the objective, to keep building and improve our speed in both races. Last year I managed a good result in Termas, so I am interested to see what we can do this year. I also want to wish Marc all the best in his recovery, it is always better to be riding alongside him on track and have him in the garage," said Honda rider Joan Mir.
