During his participation in the Australian Superbike season finale, MotoGP’s Jack Miller celebrates a podium finish.
Jack Miller signed off his 2021 racing activities with a rostrum – after a DNF – during a popular home appearance in the Australian Superbike finale, having finished his MotoGP season with a podium in Valencia.
Miller qualified second for his debut races at The Bend Motorsport Park, riding a Caterpillar-backed Panigale V4R with standard electronics, trailing reigning and soon-to-be 2021 ASBK champion Wayne Maxwell.
Race one was red-flagged after six laps, when Miller (Michelin tyres) was second to Maxwell (Pirelli).
The #43, who had been battling with his beginnings, seized the holeshot this time before getting caught up in some hectic passes with the likes of Maxwell and Glenn Allerton.
Aiden Wagner attempted to pass Miller but lost the front end, sending them both into the dirt.
More red flags were displayed in race two, this time on the first lap, with Miller settling into fourth following a poor start on the restart. The two-time MotoGP race winner then moved into third place after passing Oli Bayliss, Troy’s son, before chasing down leaders Maxwell and Allerton.
In the closing stages, Maxwell accelerated to pull 3.8 seconds clear of Allerton’s BMW for a perfect double in what could be his final ASBK race.
Miller lost two seconds to Allerton and had his hands full holding off Cru Halliday’s Dunlop-shod Yamaha for the final podium spot.
On the slow down lap, Miller delighted the crowd by performing a variety of wheelies and burnouts.
“I think we can be pretty happy with that result,” said Miller, denied the chance to race in front his home Phillip Island MotoGP fans for the past two seasons due to Covid.
“The boys really rode good today. I’m normally pretty good at starts but with this thing I’m trying to take off like I’m at the traffic lights and it won’t work!
“It was a lot of fun. Thanks to everyone for coming, it’s awesome to see ASBK like this.
“I love racing motorcycles, that’s the whole reason we’re here and I’d love to come back and do it again.”
During the 2022 Sepang test in early February, Miller will be back on his factory Ducati MotoGP machine.
The uniforms of MOTOGP racing riders are currently available at the following websites for a reasonable price:
