Miracle Mir makes stunning Valencia comeback to finish 2nd
The 2017 World Champion says farewell to the Leopard Racing Team with an incredible comeback in his last Moto3 class appearance. Starting from the pit-lane, Livio Loi ends 27th.
The third lap: Joan Mir is behind Gabriel Rodrigo. At Turn 8, the Argentine fell and the Leopard Racing Team’s World Champion was forced to widen his trajectory to avoid him and ended up in the gravel. Joan Mir returned to the track again in 19th position, never so behind this year, even in the Rio Hondo round.
With the world title already in his pocket, with every record of the category passed, and having nothing to prove, the Majorcan let the red mist descend. He did it for the Leopard Racing Team, which in these two years has been his family, as well as for all his numerous fans here in Valencia. Mir again transformed into Miracle Mir and started hammering the lap times out, reducing the gap between his opponents and quickly moving up the order.
Without hesitation, the #36 goes to the top five, recording the highest peak speed (227.2 km/h) and was soon gaining 0.2s in each sector on Martin in the lead, now six seconds clear in front. Four laps from the end, Joan Mir passed three rivals at Turn 1 and completes his comeback to second position that he would keep up to the finish line. Martin wins the first race of his career, the Spanish podium is completed by Marcos Ramirez in third.
The Majorcan is thus dismissed from the Moto3 class with the absolute record of points (341) and leaves the Leopard Racing Team after two exceptional season, featuring the Rookie of the Year (2016) and World Champion (2017) titles.
#36 Joan MIR – 2nd:
“It was a pity about what happened on the third lap: for the rhythm I could have fought for victory over Jorge [Martin]. I want to remember this last race in Moto3 with a special flavor for this comeback and for the warmth of the whole audience. I could not match Valentino’s record, but I gave it my all and tried it until the end. Today is also the last experience with Christian Lundberg, who has accompanied me in these two seasons: together with Leopard Racing we have formed a family, true and united, it will not be easy to find another.”
