Ecstar Suzuki’s Joan Mir has elbowed his way into MotoGP World Championship contention with a second podium of the season and now sits just 14 points behind leader Andrea Dovizioso.

The young Spaniard denied Valentino Rossi his 200th rostrum on Sunday when he went past on the final lap to claim third which was enough to see him claim fourth in the title stakes. He trails third-placed Jack Miller by four points.

“I see myself there in fourth position which is something really good, I am really close to the first one but you look behind and you have a lot of people with not so many points - anything can happen,” said Mir, speaking at the track.

“Everyone is really strong, it is important to be there fighting for the podium and if we do that then everything can happen.

“Everyone wants to win but there isn’t a clear leader, but what is true this year is a lot of bikes are competitive and there are a lot of riders going really fast.

Mir didn’t have it all his own way, however, after struggling to find enough grip with the medium rear Michelin to go with the lead pack.

“In the beginning I was struggling quite a lot to have to the grip to follow the podium guys.

Then when the tyre was getting a bit more used, I was able to have a bit more of stability in the fast corners and the lap times were coming easily.

“And then I start to recover distance to the podium riders. And I thought with this pace the podium is possible because Franco was already gone.

“Then I overtook Alex and the last lap with Valentino was so nice, something I will never forget, was a good manoeuvre.

“I am sorry for him because he did a really good job, really good race. But today was my day.”