Jack attack! How Miller silenced critics with winning style in Jerez
Matt Birt unearths the rollercoaster of emotions as popular Australian goes from zero to hero in Jerez
Jack Miller delivered the perfect riposte to a recent wave of stinging criticism with an emotional maiden Ducati victory in Jerez. Nobody needed a first dry race win more than Miller after he was savaged by a social media assault following a mediocre start to his factory Ducati career.
So, it was perhaps fitting on a weekend in which global sporting bodies and A-list stars boycotted social media in an attempt to tackle online abuse that Miller did his talking on the track to silence the trolls.
As the tears flowed as fast as the podium prosecco, it was hard to think of anybody begrudging Miller his moment in the Spanish sun. The huge outpouring of support as he headed to parc ferme as just Ducati’s eighth MotoGP winner proved this wasn’t just a seminal moment in Miller’s career.
It sent the feelgood factor flooding through pitlane and seemed to reflect the true essence of sport – triumph over adversity and winning when everything seems stacked against you. Miller arrived in Jerez under intense scrutiny and immense pressure having failed to live up to his billing in the Qatar doubleheader following an exceptional pre-season test performance. He was derided for two ninth places, which on paper looked a hell of a lot worse than the reality. He was only seven seconds off the win in Qatar 1 yet was dealing a seriously speed-limiting vibration on the right side of his rear tyre for most of the race. He was only 5.3s off the win in Qatar 2 and his ugly tangle with Joan Mir aside, for the last few laps he was hamstrung by a severe arm pump issue.
And to fully comprehend the impact arm pump can have on a result, well – look no further than Fabio Quartararo in Jerez. The pressure seriously ramped up on Miller when he jumped off while well placed in Portimao when recovering from intrusive arm pump surgery.
And adding insult to injury, Pecco Bagnaia, Johann Zarco and rookie Jorge Martin had all managed to podium on an identical GP21.
A big reason for Miller’s popularity with fans, media and his peers is he always speaks from the heart. The rugged Aussie tough guy persona disguises a sensitive and genuine soul who has battled his own demons when results have not lived up to the pre-season hype.
This was never better demonstrated than after Friday practice when he spoke about dealing with the disappointment of the first three races.
“I’ve never been so hard on myself. I’m trying everything I can do to turn the ship around and get momentum coming back. I’ve never been so desperate to do that in my life. The speed is there. I just need to put it all together. Time will tell if we’re able to do it,” said Miller.
It was only 48 hours later the dejection turned to elation as Miller proved he does have the mental fortitude to deliver one of the performances of his life at a time when he needed it the most. For 41 minutes and five seconds, he delivered 25 laps of flawless riding. Something he said he’s never done before in his life. And with it you could sense the weight of the world being lifted off his shoulders.
Joy, relief and pride must have all been part of the rollercoaster he experienced in becoming Ducati’s first Jerez winner since Loris Capirossi in 2006. An unlikely ally has had his back though, as Miller revealed: “I’ve been angry and not believing or trusting in myself. Lucy Crutchlow [Cal’s wife] called me up this week and was telling me, “You’re f ***** g good, you can do it.” Even this morning she sent me a text, so I have to say a massive thanks to Lucy because it feels good to hear that sometimes. You need it because at the end of the day we’re all human and we all have doubts.” Jerez eases the pressure, but nobody knows more than Miller that one win doesn’t make a season. But for now, it’s Miller time, and let’s all drink to that.
‘I have been angry and felt frustration’