Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS rider Joan Mir has the proud distinction of being top Moto2 rookie in 2018, with four podiums and fifth overall in the final World Championship standings.

The Spaniard came into his maiden year in Moto2 with high expectations after he dominated the Moto3 title race in an all-conquering 2017 campaign.

Mir passed the tough challenge with flying colours, given the intermediate class has never been packed with a more talented field.

The Mallorcan demonstrated outstanding trust in his own ability and that self-belief was a fundamental reason in helping him accomplish one of his big pre-season goals to finish as the leading rookie against Bo Bendsneyder, Joe Roberts, Jules Danilo and Federico Fugligni.

Mir’s trademark consistency and speed came to the fore as always in 2018, and the only three races he failed to score points in were at the Circuit-de-Barcelona-Catalunya, Brno and Buriram.

The highlights of his impressive season came with a stunning first Moto2 podium in Le Mans, which he followed with a top three finish in Mugello and fantastic battles for the victory in Sachsenring and Phillip Island.

Mir ended his one and only season in the Moto2 World Championship with four podiums and the sixth position in the final classification with 155 points.

Joan Mir: “I am really happy to be the rookie of the year as making a quick adaption to Moto2 was my goal from the beginning of the season. I was able to score some podiums and many points in the championship although I also had some difficult moments but this part of racing and learning a new bike and category.”