Ambitious young Spaniard Joan Mir is hoping a factory MotoGP offer will be the excuse he needs to spend just one year in the Moto2 category. The reigning Moto3 world champ has little interest in hanging around for a Moto2 world title, he wants to play with the big boys in MotoGP.

Mir currently has a multi-year deal with MarcVDS, but has an option to leave for 2019 if he gets a factory offer from a MotoGP manufacturer.

Step forward Suzuki who is eyeing off Mir as a teammate to Alex Rins next year, notwithstanding that Ducati’s unhappy Jorge Lorenzo is also searching the market.

Suzuki team boss Davide Brivio is currently a powerful man in the paddock, with a desired bike, factory resources and budgets, and at least three riders – Andrea Iannone, Lorenzo and now Mir – all circling.

“We must make a decision – do we sign an experienced top rider or go for a talented young guy?” Brivio said.

Mir, French Moto2 2018