RARING TO RIDE Miller confident he will be fit for Australian MotoGP
TOWNSVILLE MotoGP star Jack Miller says a broken leg will not stop him racing at Phillip Island next weekend.
Miller is home recuperating from the broken tibia he suffered during a training session at his European base in Andorra two weeks ago.
The Marc VDS rider feared his season was over and underwent surgery in Barcelona before scans revealed Miller had a fighting chance of racing at the Australian Grand Prix from Friday.
Miller fractured the top of the tibia just below his right knee after falling from his trials bike, and a plate and eight screws were inserted to stabilise the fracture. Showing off his latest scar from his Kelso home yesterday, Miller said he was ready to let rip at Phillip Island.
“By the time we get to Phillip Island it should be more or less 90 per cent,” he said.
“I think I’ll be able to give it a really good go, that’s the main thing.
“I don’t want to just make up the numbers, we need to go there and really push hard.
“I’m working on trying to get some more motion in the knee, in terms of when I bend it right up, but apart from that it’s pretty bloody good.
“It’s nothing new to me, it wasn’t even a crash, it was just mucking around on a trials bike and I just hit my foot on the ground the wrong way.”
Miller did however have his doubts after his fall.
“The original thing was ‘ am I going to be able to go to Phillip Island?’ because it couldn’t have happened at a worse time,” he said.
“We have three ( races) in a row coming up, so it was a little bit worrying, but once I got the diagnosis everything seemed to fall into place.
“Of course you’re always p--- ed off and worried, but to be walking without crutches and pedalling two weeks after the operation is really good.”
Miller is 12th in MotoGP standings with two sixth place finishes – in Holland and San Marino – his best results so far this season. He was supposed to race in Japan this weekend but will watch the Japanese GP from home as Marc VDS calls up Hiroshi Aoyama to take his place.
“It’s never nice sitting down on the weekend but it is what it is and it makes you hungrier when coming back,” said Miller, who returned to Townsville early last week.
“It’s nice to be in home for a brief visit and catch up with everyone. It’s nice and warm, and I got up ( yesterday) morning and cycled into town, did Castle Hill and then had a coffee on The Strand.”
Miller returns to the hustle and bustle of MotoGP life on Wednesday when media commitments officially begin for the Australian GP. Fol- lowing Phillip Island are the season’s final two rounds in Malaysia and Valencia.
After that Miller will link with Ducati, who has signed him to a one- year deal.
“It’s nice to know your deals are done and you can go about your business, and all the correct steps are in place and you’re ready to go for next season,” Miller said.
“I’m definitely keen to finish these last three races strongly, get them out of the way and get ready for next year with the new project and new team.”
Fox Sports will show every practice, qualifying session and race from the Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix live and ad- break free from lights out to the checkered flag. Coverage begins from 8.55am on Friday on FOX SPORTS 505.