JOAN MIR MISSES AUSTRIAN GP AT RED BULL RING AFTER MEDICAL CHECKS

Joan Mir will not take part in this weekend’s Austrian MotoGP at the Red Bull Ring after HRC withdrew him for further medical investigation. The Spaniard retired from Sunday’s Misano Grand Prix on lap 6, then travelled to Barcelona for checks.

Those examinations have identified “altered parameters in the blood,” and the next steps require additional testing. In an HRC update, the team said that, “Due to the symptoms already shown in Italy and without a clear diagnosis, Mir’s medical team have recommended he focus on his recovery and withdraw from the Austrian GP.” HRC added that the decision is intended to let Mir “rest and for more tests and studies to be done.”

With Mir absent, HRC has named its test rider Takaaki Nakagami as his replacement. Nakagami will ride alongside Luca Marini on the Honda HRC Castrol RC213V at Spielberg. Speedweek reported that Nakagami had just completed a test in Mugello, and that he was already scheduled to attend the post-race test on Monday.

HRC said the substitution will allow Nakagami and the team to continue development work with the 1,000cc machine, while also preparing further for Mir’s wildcard appearance at the Japanese GP. Speedweek also noted that Mir is working toward being fit again for the Japanese Grand Prix.

Mir’s withdrawal follows the medical concerns that first appeared during Italy, but with no definitive diagnosis yet, HRC’s priority is recovery and continued investigation before the next opportunity to race.