'Difficult day’ following Dupasquier tragedy - Joan Mir

Joan Mir claimed his second MotoGP podium of the 2021 season for Suzuki on a difficult day after Moto3 rider Jason Dupasquier passed away. 

News of Dupasquier succumbing to the injuries suffered in qualifying led to a minute of silence on the grid with all riders present. 

Speaking after the race, Mir said ‘there’s no preparation’ for what happened, and that he sends his ‘strength’ to the family of Dupasquier. 

Mir added: "There’s no preparation for it. Everyone of us - more the riders, we feel this more than others because we can empathise a lot with this type of thing, because a lot of times we forget what can happen. 

"We have to respect each other a lot, to always be responsible, and don’t forget that this is a dangerous sport. 

"So all the strength that I can give to the family. It was a difficult day today at the office." 

On-track, it was a return to the podium for Mir and Suzuki as he matched his season best result of third from Portimao. 

Mir struggled to get past team-mate Alex Rins and the Ducati of Jack Miller early on, but once he did, the 2020 world champion managed to quickly close down Johann Zarco and Miguel Oliveira. 

Mir was able to make his move on Zarco at the change of direction corners - Casanova and Savelli. 

"I’m really satisfied about the job that we did. The team works really well, I was able to make a weekend from less to more and to find step-by-step the good pace and the good feelings with the bike," said Mir. 

"Here, the goal is always the podium, but we know that here and these first tracks for us would be difficult. 

"At the end we have two podiums at the moment and now there are better tracks coming for us, so we’re quite optimistic. 

"I think we will be stronger and stronger and hopefully to always be here."