Miller races into top 10

TOWNSVILLE MotoGP racer Jack Miller was pleased to finish back in the top 10 but still believes his result at the Aragon Grand Prix in Spain could have been better.

Honda star Marc Marquez extended his championship lead after winning a duel with Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso in the closing laps.

But Miller, who has struggled on the Alma Pramac Ducati in the past few months, recorded a solid ninth after avoiding a spectacular firstcorner crash by Jorge Lorenzo.

“If I am honest I cannot be satisfied with this race. At the first corner I had to change trajectory after Jorge crashed,’’ Miller said. But overall he was happy with the race, especially after crashing out at San Marino a fortnight ago and not finishing better than 10th since July 1 at Assen.

After starting from 10th on the grid, tyre problems late in the race meant Miller couldn’t catch teammate Danilo Petrucci and was passed by Valentino Rossi’s Yamaha on the second- last lap.

Marquez’s searing win in the Spanish heat and Lorenzo’s high- side spill on the first corner were the main talking points from the race, the last before the riders fly east for races in Thailand, Japan, Australia at Phillip Island next month, and Malaysia.

“Marc’s move meant I couldn’t take the curve and I had to go off the driving line and lost control,” Lorenzo said.

“I just hope he comes to say sorry and … above all, that he won’t do it again.”

Marquez, who started from third on the grid, traded the lead with Andrea Dovizioso until finally taking charge for good on Lap 21.

Marquez finished ahead of Dovizioso and Andrea Iannone to claim the race for a third consecutive year.

It was Marquez’s first win in five races.

“I had been taking risks in races but it wasn’t enough to win,” Marquez said.

“This time I saw I could finish it off, and I said ‘ Let’s go for it.’ I wanted to win. I have an advantage but I wanted to end this drought.”

Suzuki recorded its best result of the year, thanks to Andrea Iannone grabbing third, ahead of teammate Alex Rins.

Marquez is closing in on a fifth MotoGP title with 246 points, 72 ahead of Dovizioso and a further 15 to Rossi. Miller holds 12th place.

Australian Remy Gardner finished 19th in the Moto2 race after having started from 20th on the grid.

IF I AM HONEST I CANNOT BE SATISFIED WITH THIS RACE. AT THE FIRST CORNER I HAD TO CHANGE TRAJECTORY AFTER JORGE CRASHED JACK MILLER