Mir’s 2020 title defence was a difficult affair last year, as a lack of development with the GSX-RR meant he could only come up with third in the standings and just six podiums.
The reaction so far to its 2022 bike has been much more positive from both Mir and team-mate Alex Rins, with the latter fourth overall at the end of the two-day Sepang test.
Mir was 12th fastest – albeit just 0.398 seconds off the pace – after he was unable to improve on a scrappy time attack effort on Sunday morning before rain fell in the afternoon.
Nevertheless, the Suzuki rider feels the bike’s top speed has been “clearly improved” – though says “there’s work to do” in Indonesia this weekend despite the GSX-RR being almost ready.
“Yes, we are close, we are happy,” Mir said on Sunday.
“We improved clearly our top speed, we are there in the middle, which is really, really important.
“We know that we have a fast race bike, but always to fight with the Ducatis and these guys…
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