It's common to see fans credit a manufacturer's progress - or struggles - to the quality of its riders. Some are considered exceptional development riders, while others are accused of leading engineers in the wrong direction. But how much influence does a MotoGP rider actually have over the technical evolution of a bike?
Joan Mir has experienced both ends of the spectrum, winning the 2020 world championship with Suzuki before becoming a factory Honda rider and testing countless upgrades over the years. In his view, a rider's job is to provide accurate feedback, while leaving the engineering solutions to those responsible for designing the bike.
