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

Mir and new LCR Honda rider Johann Zarco have been locked in a battle for top Honda, with Mir two points clear of th▨e Frenchman as it stands.

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Next up is COTA, a ci♏rcuit Honda has enjoyed a lot of success at thanks to 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 a good show,” said Mir. 

“We go to a th♌ird 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 f🦹irst se𒐪ctor on track is very specific.

“Quite a lot of the track has been rꦰesurfaced since we were last here so I a🍰m looking forward to seeing how those changes impact the track.”

On the other side of the garage is Luca Marini who has steadily been getting closer to t💫he other three Honda riders.

Qatar was a difficu😼lt round for Marini, however 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 plඣace in my heart’.

Speaking ahead of this weekenℱd, Marini said: “Austin holds a special place in my heart and I have good memories from last🐈 year.

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

“It’s a very particular circuit in Texas and you’ve seen that Honda has had someth﷽ing there in the past.

🍒“No matter the track, our focus and intention stays the same as we keep building this project.”