Miller rejects Honda reports
TOWNSVILLE MotoGP rider Jack Miller has again dismissed reports he rejected an approach to return to Honda as a replacement for Dani Pedrosa to ride for their factory outfit next season before resigning with Ducati.
Spanish media claimed early last month the 23- yearold had been courted by the Japanese manufacturer after leaving to sign with Alma Pramac Ducati for this season.
But writing on his website after finishing tenth in a chaotic Dutch Grand Prix at Assen on Sunday night, Miller denied the claims.
“You might have read that I’d signed to go there ( Repsol Honda) around Mugello time. Let’s clear that up: there was talk, definitely, but no contract negotiations,” he wrote.
“It’s a big step from talking about something to negotiating to signing … so I don’t know who said what to who or whatever to turn that into a story.
“Talking, it’s always good to know what your options could have been over there. Signing something? That’s a lot different.”
Miller was pleased simply to finish the Dutch Grand Prix after he had crashed out of the previous two rounds.
Spaniard Marc Marquez ( Honda) edged compatriots Alex Rins ( Suzuki) and Maverick Vinales ( Yamaha) to win.
After eight races Marquez has now won four and enjoys a 41- point lead in the standings over Italian Valentino Rossi ( Yamaha), who was fifth.
“We didn’t manage to finish the last two races, one of them my fault in Mugello and the other a mechanical failure, so even to finish at Assen was good,” Miller said.