Despite Honda still languishing at the back of the MotoGP grid, Joan Mir has been impressive through the o🌠pening two rounds.

Mir and new LCR Honda rider Johann Zarco have been lo🐠cked in a battle for top Honda, with Mir two points clear of the Frenchman as it stands.

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Next up is COTA, a circuit Honda has enjoyed a lot🌜 of success at thanks toꦆ Marc Marquez.

“Going to America is always nice, we only get to see the fans there once a year so it's important to put on 𒁏a good show,” said Mir. 

“We go to a thir🤪d very different track in three races so we need to look and understand how the Honda is 🧔going there.

“COTA is one 🔯of the most unique layouts on the calendar and especially the first sector on track is very specific.

“Qu𝔍ite a lot of the track has been resurfaced since we🃏 were last here so I am looking forward to seeing how those changes impact the track.”

On the other side of the garꦚage is Luca Marini who has steadily been getting closer to the other three Honda riders.

Qatar was a difficult round for Marini, how🃏ever 💫the pace shown in Portimao was significantly better for the Italian.

On the front row with Ducati last season, a similar result would be a shock this time around but Marini admits it’s a circuit that ‘holds a special place in𓂃 my heart’.

Speaking ahead of this weekend, Marini said: “Austiꦰn holds a special place in my heart and I have good memories from la🉐st year.

“We arrive in a different situation ♌this year but I am still positive that we can make more progress in America.

“It’s a ver🐈y particular circuit in Texas and you’vꦡe seen that Honda has had something there in the past.

“No matter the track, our focus and intention stays the same as we keep build꧂ing this project.”