Joan Mir labelled title favourite by MotoGP rivals ahead of season opener

2021 could be the most unpredictable MotoGP season we've ever seen, however, riders were keen not to get too wild with their answers of who the title favourite was...

In the first press conference of the season, every rider was given the chance to pick a championship favourite, with many coming to the same conclusion. 

That name was 2020 champion Joan Mir, who himself is not one to be lacking confidence and said if he had to choose a name, it 'would be to say myself'. 

Here is a summary of the answers.

Joan Mir: Well this is a difficult question. Last season we saw a lot of people were able to win races but then to keep this consistency there were not so many, so I don’t know. If I had to say a name it would be to say myself, but we will see. 

Pol Espargaro: Yeah in this year the level is so high in bikes and riders, but what is true is that one guy starts with the #1 on his bike and that is Joan [Mir]. He did and amazing year last season and he is the one we all need to beat to get the #1.

Jack Miller: Just looking back to the end of last year, the results were great and all that, but as the boys said, Joan has the #1. Frankie [Morbidelli] had an amazing end to last season and nothing has really changed for him, so I think he will be ready to fire on all cylinders, but I would have to say Joan. 

Fabio Quartararo: There are many riders with a lot of speed, but like everyone said, the guy with the #1 is Joan. He is the man to beat.

Valentino Rossi: I think we have to start from the end of last season, and in the last races the fastest were Mir, Morbidelli and Miller. 

Aleix Espargaro: Yeah for me things were more difficult than what they seemed. It was a short championship and very difficult to be consistent and fast, but Joan was that and for me he is the #1 favourite again this year. 

You can see if Mir gets his title defence off to a flying start or whether Yamaha, Ducati and others can land the first blow on Sunday for race one in Qatar at 20:00 local time (GMT+3).