Joan Mir takes an amazing top 5 finish at his home race

At 11 o’clock on Sunday the lights of the Grand Prix Movistar de Aragon went out, for the fourteenth round of the 2016 World Championship. After gaining two positions (24th) on the grid due to the penalties imposed on other riders, Joan Mir shot off and was already 10th on the first lap in front of his team-mates Fabio Quartararo and Andrea Locatelli.

The Palma de Mallorca talent – recovering from illness which had dogged him across the weekend – stood in the middle of the brawl in the second group, while Quartararo (12th) had to deal with Guevara and Ono. Locatelli (17th) remained entangled in traffic, locked together with the Ongetta Rivacold duo, Antonelli and Danilo. Bulega was forced to retire on the first lap, giving Mir a solid advantage in their Rookie-Of-The-Year competition.

Before long Mir was in eighth and right with the top ten, putting Migno in its sights. In just two laps he had the Italian’s measure and was soon leading the chasing group., all enclosed within a second. Halfway through the race, Locatelli lost two positions (19th) while Quartararo leads the group of pursuers. Mir slipped up the inside of his compatriots Martin and Navarro, winning the 5th place overall.

The last four laps were a succession of emotions, with the leading riders fighting for the victory.The first four broke away and Mir found himself having to defend his position from the attack of Oettl. But the rookie gritted his teeth and crossed the finish line in 5th place overall after another extraordinary comeback.

#36 Joan MIR – 5th:
“It was a fun race, starting from behind and fighting to the end I really enjoyed it. I managed to do lots of overtaking and I wanted to go get the first four riders, but in my group there was a great battle which slowed me down towards the end. A shame because I think I had the pace to stay with them. If I think about how we started the weekend here at Aragon, I can be more than satisfied.”

Source: Leopard Racing