Mir: “The best way to begin”

A second career win for the Mallorcan after a tight Moto3™ battle

Joan Mir (Leopard Racing) took his second win in the season opener for 2017, as the 2016 Austrian Moto3™ GP winner fought off some tough competition in a classic, tightly-fought Moto3™ battle at the front. Keeping cool and everything under control, the Leopard rider just managed to pull out a gap on the last lap – enough to stay ahead on the crucial drag to the line.

An expected title contender after taking the Rookie of the Year crown in 2016, Qatar proved a good account opener for the Spaniard - and he hopes to keep the momentum into Argentina.

Joan Mir, P1: “Amazing! The best way to begin the Championship. I want to thank my team and Honda because the bike today was really good and I was really comfortable. We were so fast on the straight. The race today was really tough and long, I tried to be in the front all the time to control my rivals. Yesterday and today was perfect. It was the best race in my career because I had everything under control. I hope I can continue like this in Argentina - I think we have a really good bike but it’s different at every track.”