Miller on a winner: Gardner

TOWNSVILLE MotoGP ace Jack Miller’s switch from Honda to Ducati could launch him to new heights in the sport’s premier class, according to Australian motorcycling great Wayne Gardner.

Miller’s undoubted talent was on display at the weekend at Phillip Island where he led his home grand prix for five laps before finishing seventh.

The 22- year- old’s first M MotoGP season in 2015 was with LCR Honda, before he enjoyed a successful two- year stint with the Marc VDS Honda team.

Miller ( left) claimed his maiden MotoGP victory last year in the wet at Assen. He has signed for the 2018 season with Octo Pramac Ducati.

“Jack’s a talented rider who has a big future,” said Gardner, who was the 500cc world champion in 1987.

“He’s going to get very good equipment and the Pramac team is a very well- funded op- eration. They do things properly, so it’s a great opportunity.

“I just hope that he can have a bit of luck and get some success. He’s had three years riding the Honda, which isn’t easy, and the Ducati is quite a different bike ... I hope he takes to it like a duck to water.”

Miller will join Italian veteran Danilo Petrucci, who has scored four podium finishes this season with the factorysupported satellite team.

The strength of the Tuscany- based outfit has allowed Petrucci to climb to eighth in the world championship standings with two races to go.

Miller, having missed the Japanese Grand Prix with a broken leg, is 12th and has every reason to feel he can climb higher next year with a more powerful bike that is better suited to his strengths.

Factory Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso has won five races this season and is Repsol Honda star Marc Marquez’s closest world title rival.

Dovizioso will ride Ducati’s new Desmosedici GP18 machine next year and Miller will be let loose on the GP17 bike on which the Italian has achieved so much this year.

“Dovizioso has had some good wins on that bike,” Gardner said. “This year’s bike is very good and I don’t think it will change that much – it’s capable of winning races.

“And I think Petrucci will keep Jack honest, he’s obviously got some miles under his belt with Ducati and will understand how it works best.”