Suzuki rider Joan Mir has claimed his first MotoGP podium in five races after taking second place behind Francesco Bagnaia at Portimao.&nbs🤪p;

Lead🐬ing up to today’s result, Mir had arguably put together his most consistent weekend of the year after being competitive i🧸n every practice session. 

That feeling was only enhanced after claiming a first MotoGP 🌊front row during qualifying, and while the Spaniard wasn’t able to challenge Bagnaia for a first win of the year, it remains a result that was very much needed according to last year’s champion. 

"Honestly, I’m so happy with this podium. It’s not so much about the result, it’s more about the weekend that we did. It was unbel꧋ievable," said Mir. 

"I felt so good from the first moment and I was able to be competitive from FP1. Then everything, like when you feel great with the bike and the base is good everything comes ea😼sily. 

"This type of weekend was what I🐽 needed. With weather conditions b🌱eing more normal I was able to do more laps with my bike, more laps in normal conditions. 

"Today Pecco [Bagnaia] was just better than me and he was a🎃ble to ride in a more effective way, let's say, because to be at that pace (mid 1m 39s) I was making more mistakes than him. 

"He was not making one. I was w🌼aiting all the whole race but it never came."

One of the reasons for Mir’s big step forward this weekend was the team’s second evolution of the rear ride height device🌼 being introduced. 

With the first one being on display earlier this year - was relatively inconsistent, the second prototype has been a nice improvement anꦆd one that aided the GSR-RR’ acceleration. 

Speaking about the d🙈evice, Mir added: "For sure I was using the device (second generation ಞride height device). It’s something I think everyone is using and it gives more on the acceleration, this is clear. 

"And yeah, that was one of the points that we improved to be here to do ꦍthe weekღend that we did. 

"For sure, it was one of the key points because I know that without the device we; I don’t know aﷺbout this track, but in some places you get a lot more acceleration because you get less wheelie. This is the main thing. 

"With this device we have to improve it mor𝓰e, that’s for sure, because it’s only the second prototype. For next ﷽year we will have something better for sure."

Along with what should be a thir♕d evolution of the ride height device in 2022, Suzuki are also bringing a whole new engine and chassis to the table - drastic changes that were needed for the reigning champion’s.