Mir, Quartararo, Miller and more are turning around in Barcelona
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is hosting it as some familiar faces blow away the winter cobwebs
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
With the Qatar test approaching, now is the time to prepare the bike and the race. On Wednesday at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, some familiar faces thought the same as a multitude of MotoGP ™, Moto2 ™ and Moto3 ™ riders on racing bikes took to the track to warm up for the 2021 season. On the agenda? Back into the groove – and try the new Turn 10.
2021 will be a year of many changes, not least the man who starts the year as reigning world champion: Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar). He made a headline, along with Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team), Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team), Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) and Alex Marquez ( LCR Honda Castrol), his team-mate Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) from the premier class.
There were also many Moto2 ™ and Moto3 ™ riders present. Remy Gardner and Red Bull KTM Ajo team-mate Raul Fernandez were in attendance, as were Marcos Ramirez (Tennor American Racing) and reigning Moto3 ™ world champion Albert Arenas (Aspar Team Moto2) as he prepares for 2021 as Moto2 ™ -Rokie. Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) prepared again for Moto3 ™ as he prepared for his new team. FIM Enel MotoE ™ World Cup rider Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP) also joined them.
Joan Mir: “I feel great on the bike. I’m happy because I was able to drive a lot of laps today and try out the new corner. It was important to understand how to do it and to find the right line in order to have an idea when we come back to the future with the MotoGP bike. A productive day, excited about it and ready for Qatar.
“I prepare in the same way as before, train hard and try to be healthy. I work on what I want every day. To be a better driver, to be more complete. I’m excited about the preseason we’re doing! “
Fabio Quartararo drives a Yamaha YZF-R1 on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Photo courtesy of Dorna.
Fabio Quartararo: “I haven’t been to a racetrack since Portimao so I felt good. Everything was standard so it’s pretty easy to drive. I’m happy just to build muscle again on a racing bike.
“The curve layout is very different, but it feels good. It’s between the old and the F1 layout. I like it and am happy to be back, one step closer to Qatar.
“In the first two races it will be okay after a few days of testing. The problem will be when we get to Portimao, a completely different track that was quite difficult with the M1 last year. For Qatar I’m not stressed out but it’s more about Portimao to see how the bike works and everything. Let’s see, but first of all we have to enjoy these moments. I’m happy to drive today and can’t wait to be in Qatar for the first test! “
Jack Miller: “It’s like an official test here! It’s really nice to get out of here, the Montmelo track is fantastic and similar to the old layout at Turn 10, you can carry the speed a lot, the tarmac has a lot of grip so 10/10 work for it. It’s great to be back on track with all these great drivers and super excited to be doing it all again in Qatar in a couple of weeks.
“I’m excited, Qatar has usually been a track that I really enjoy, even though I haven’t had the best luck there. But I am confident that I will lead into the Grand Prix, a lot of work in a short period of time, but I am looking forward to the challenge. “
Pol Espargaro: “It was cool to come back from a long time … to see rivals, Moto2 and Moto3 riders fighting against each other! It’s nice to feel this racing spirit even before Qatar. All winters are long, but this one was particularly long and has been waiting for this moment. I’m really looking forward to jumping on the bike to see what I can achieve where a lot of riders are struggling. I have the opportunity to wear these colors and it’s a huge responsibility for me, but a moment in my career that I’ve dreamed a lot about. I feel like now is my time and I’ll try to make it happen.
“This winter I pushed a lot on dirt bikes, motocross, and I was totally exhausted. For months, maybe a month and a half, just cycling, and I’m really enjoying it. I’ve never done so much motocross before. Every year I try to use something different to be a better pole and a better rider and I think this year was the time to push more than other years with motocross and I’ve trained a lot. “