Joan Mir completed last weekend on the Aragón podium and with the San Marino GP just one week on, the Suzuki rider is cautiously optimistic of his chances.

“Last year at the Misano double header I kept my title campaign on track with a third and a second place finish, so obviously I have happy memories from here,” Mir said ahead of the weekend. “It’s a tricky track, with lots of tight corners and it usually produces exciting racing with lots of quick riders.

“Last weekend in Aragón I got on the podium, and even though I felt I had more potential than third, I’m glad that I was able to get decent points and it felt good to celebrate with my team.

“Let’s see on Sunday and tomorrow how I will feel on the bike. This is a track that I enjoyed a lot last year, the two races that we did, I was able to be strong. We missed a lot here the first lap, so is something that we will focus on, on this Grand Prix. We will try to make the same step like in Aragon and to see where we are more or less. It will be difficult to be again, fighting for the podium here but I will try. I think the bike works well here, we have some things to try, so let’s see.”

MotorLand saw the Suzuki team remove the ride-height device from the GSX-RR’s as evaluation and development on the recent addition continued, with Mir unsure of it’s part to play at the Misano World Circuit this weekend.

“At the moment is true that with the device, we gain a lot of acceleration but we also lose a lot of time on the braking area, and we need an evolution,” he admitted. “So let’s see what the team brings and if we are able to only get that extra acceleration and without losing in the different things.

Misano will also see the riders stay on after the GP for a two-day mid-week test on Tuesday and Wednesday with Mir already switching his attention between the end of this season and preparation for the next.

“We have something for the 2022 that is important to try but we have to give priority to the things of this year,” he explained. “We have to finish this year in the best position that we can, performing well and to see if we are able to make that click that we are missing. I think that we have new aspects. I think that we have quite a lot of things of 2022 but, like I said, we have to focus on this year.

“A satellite team for sure it would be a big help because we would have more information that sometimes we are a bit of lacking with only two riders on track. Also if some rider for some reason is not performing well, you only have one rider performing well and information is only of one rider. So normally, is a huge help and I think that it can help to Suzuki to grow his level. But it’s true that if Suzuki decides to don’t have and this is the decision for some reason, it’s better to do it great and put all the effort into two bikes than to not be sure and to try to put four bikes on track and finally, none of those four bikes work. I think that I can understand the situation of Suzuki and if they decide that it’s better to wait. I agree.”