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

Mir and new LCR Honda rider Johann Zarco have been locked in𝓀 a battle for top Honda, with Mir two points clear of the Fr🌱enchman as it stands.

• Alvaro Bauꦍtista: Pedro Acosta ‘can create a 🐬trend like Valentino, Marc, Lorenzo’ 

• “Mentality switch” prediction as Marc Marquez tipped for COTA🐠 glo🔥ry

Next up is COTA, a circuit Honda has enjoyed a l🀅ot of success at thanks to Marc Marquez.

“Going toꩲ 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 third 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 trac🍰k is very specific.

“Quite a lot of the trac♊k has been resurfaced since we were las🦹t here so I am looking forward to seeing how those changes impact the track.”

On the other side of the garage is Luca ꦇMarini who has steadily b🌞een getting closer to the other three Honda riders.

Qatar was a difficult round for Marini♏, however the pace shown in Portimao was significantly better for the Italian.

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

Speaking ahead of t💃his weekend, Marini said: “Austin holds a special place in my heart and I have good memories from last🦋 year.

“We arrive in a differen🌞t situation this year but I am still positiv꧑e that we can make more progress in America.

“It’s a very particular circui♎t in Texas and you’ve seen that ♉Honda has had something there in the past.

“No matter the track, our focus and intention st🧸ays the same as we keep building this project.”