Mir lost for words after sealing MotoGP title in Valencia

Joan Mir struggled to take in what he had achieved after being crowned MotoGP champion for the first time at the Valencia Grand Prix.

Just a week after clinching his first win in the premier class at the same track, a seventh-place finish at Circuit Ricardo Tormo on Sunday was enough for Mir to wrap up the title.

He is Suzuki's first world champion in the MotoGP era, while their previous winner in the premier class was Kenny Roberts Jr in 2000.

Asked how he felt after making his way back to the garage to celebrate, Mir said: "Unbelievable. I don't have words to describe this emotion because it's something I've been fighting for all my life.

"At the moment I can't laugh, I can't cry – it's a mix of emotions. I'm really, really, really happy, because you follow one dream all your life and you finally achieve it.

"I don't believe what's happening. I need time to relax and understand what's happened because I don't have words."

Given Mir's final position, the title race would have remained alive had Maverick Vinales, Alex Rins or Fabio Quartararo triumphed in Valencia.

However, Franco Morbidelli held off Jack Miller to take the top step on the podium, with Rins only able to claim fourth. Vinales finished behind Mir in 10th and Quartararo crashed out.

Suzuki team manager Davide Brivio added: "What Joan has achieved is incredible. He is a great rider and has given Suzuki a world title after 20 years, something for which we are all very grateful."

The dream team! Davide Brivio joins the celebrations with @JoanMirOfficial ! #M1R | #ValenciaGP pic.twitter.com/E4On39kkHc

— MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) November 15, 2020

In his second season in the premier class, Mir is the third Spaniard to win the MotoGP title after Jorge Lorenzo and Marc Marquez.

Marquez surrendered his crown having missed all but one of the races this season with an arm injury.