Jack determined to set pace on island
TOWNSVILLE MotoGP star Jack Miller is determined to put the disappointment of Sunday’s crash in Japan behind him and tackle his home race at Phillip Island this weekend.
The Ducati star started on the front row but slid off the Motegi circuit after 11 laps.
“That’s the way it is in our sport,” he said. “It can be all roses one day and you’re back in the gravel on the next.”
And Miller, 23, who played tennis with Lleyton Hewitt at a pre- race event yesterday with fellow Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso, believes he can give the podium a shake at the island.
“We’ve been there or thereabouts and really close on a few occasions, and coming into Phillip Island I feel I’m on a better machine than I was last year and we led seven laps and hopefully we can turn it into 27.’’
Miller’s Honda slipped past Marc Marquez to lead on the opening lap of the 2017 race to the delight of local fans until tyre wear forced him back through the field to finish seventh.
“I’ll take what I learned in last year’s race and use that knowledge on my tyre choice and race strategy.’’
Hewitt said Miller’s tennis skills, as average as they were, were still better than his ability to ride a motorcycle.
The teams head to the island today in preparation for Friday’s opening practice session.
Marquez won last year and is still the likely favourite.
The Honda factory team star wrapped up his fifth MotoGP title in Japan and is chasing his ninth victory of the season at the island.
“I love Phillip Island; it’s a fast track that always favours race- long battles that are a great show for the fans,” Marquez said.
Like most teams, Marquez will be keeping a watch on the notoriously fickle island weather.
“I just hope the weather will be good because it can change from sunny and warm to cold and windy in a matter of hours.’’
Marquez’s teammate Dani Pedrosa, a 31- time MotoGP winner, will make his farewell appearance in Australia after 13 seasons with the Repsol Honda team.
“Phillip Island isn’t one of my favourite tracks, though we’ve also been able to get some good results there in the past,’’ he said.
Honda is seeking to wrap up the constructors’ championship ahead of Ducati.