Joan Mir Has Withdrawn From Upcoming Grands Prix
The Honda rider will miss races in Japan and Indonesia following medical tests that revealed altered blood parameters.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Motorsports
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Honda MotoGP rider Joan Mir has announced his withdrawal from the Japanese and Indonesian Grands Prix after medical tests in Barcelona revealed health concerns. Doctors have recommended a mandatory three-week recovery period for the rider.
Why it matters
The health-related absence forces Honda to quickly secure a replacement rider for the upcoming circuits. Mir, who is departing for the Gresini team in 2027, remains under contract with Honda until November 29, 2026.
Mir has recorded 79 crashes over 70 Grands Prix during his four-year tenure with Honda, achieving only two third-place finishes. His recent retirement occurred on the fifth lap of the San Marino GP.
The players
Joan Mir
He is a professional motorcycle racer who has competed for the Honda factory team for four seasons.
Honda
It is a global automotive and power equipment manufacturer that maintains a factory racing team in the MotoGP circuit.
Aleix Espargaró
He is a veteran professional motorcycle racer who is currently under consideration as a replacement rider.
Cal Crutchlow
He is a retired professional motorcycle racer who serves as a test rider and potential substitute for Honda.
Gresini
It is a professional motorcycle racing team that has signed Mir for the 2027 season.
The details
Following a retirement on the fifth lap of the San Marino GP on September 13, 2026, medical professionals performed tests that confirmed the need for immediate rest. Honda is currently vetting potential substitutes, with Aleix Espargaró and Cal Crutchlow listed as candidates to fill the seat while Mir undergoes his recovery.
Timeline
September 13, 2026: Joan Mir retired from the San Marino GP.
September 14, 2026: Joan Mir underwent medical tests in Barcelona.
October 23-25, 2026: The Australian GP is scheduled to take place.
November 29, 2026: Joan Mir concludes his career with the Honda team.
Season Trajectory
This withdrawal disrupts the competitive balance for the Honda team as they attempt to finish a difficult season before their rider roster undergoes a complete overhaul in 2027. The search for a replacement rider also impacts the development and testing data Honda hoped to collect in the final races.
Fantasy league managers and race bettors should note that Honda's performance will likely decline further while they rely on a substitute rider. The absence creates a clear void in the starting grid for the upcoming Asian leg of the championship.
The takeaway
Riders often struggle with the physical toll of extreme racing environments, where constant crashes and high-speed impacts lead to unpredictable recovery timelines. Teams must maintain deep rosters of test riders to ensure continuity when primary athletes are sidelined by medical directives.
Further reading
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