MotoGP Gossip: Honda ‘desperately’ wants to sign Joan Mir?

In this week’s first MotoGP gossip column of 2022, Honda are reportedly doing everything they can to sign 2020 champion Joan Mir for next year. 

The Spanish rider was unsuccessful in defending his MotoGP title last season, but given how little development Suzuki made to their GSX-RR, claiming third in the championship was an impressive showing from Mir. 

And with Marc Marquez suffering a repeat of his 2011 eye injury, which could result in him missing the first pre-season tests, Honda are now rumoured to be looking at signing a ‘winning rider’ to bolster their future line-up.

Carlo Pernat of GPone.com believes a deal could even be completed between Honda and Mir before this season gets underway: “Honda are desperately trying to sign a winning rider and it’s the right thing to do. There are two names: Quartararo and Mir, it’s more likely that Joan will end up there, because he costs less and he’s the right man. It will be quite a quick thing, I believe that by the start of the world championship the operation may have already been completed, or almost.” [GPone.com]. 

Former five-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo has opened up about his psychological ‘low point’ in 2018 and how a call from Alberto Puig was the turning point. 

This comes as quite a surprise given Lorenzo enjoyed a solid second season with Ducati, however, the now 34 year-old claimed the difficult moment came when it looked like he would be without a factory ride for 2019, before ultimately switching to Honda for what was his last year in MotoGP.

As reported by Speedweek, Lorenzo told DAZN: "Before Mugello I was a little depressed because I understood that I was without a factory bike for the coming season, and I felt like I was at the best moment of my career. 

“I saw everything negatively and just wanted to sleep. I don't know if it was a slight depression or just a very sad moment, but I was really down." [Speedweek.com]. 

Finally in this week’s MotoGP gossip column, 2022 premier class rookie Fabio Di Giannantonio had several of his training bikes stolen during the Christmas period. 

The bikes shown are motocross machines as the Italian shared the news on his Instagram account. [Marca.com]