The MotoGP roadshow hits Phillip Island, east of Melbourne, this weekend. Local hopefuls Jack Miller is hoping he can build on a best season of his career.
Queenslander Miller has finished three third places and finished eighth in the world championship before the start of the Australian MotoGP.
His Pramac Racing Ducati has been competitive all year round and his knowledge of the Phillip Island layout also gives him hope for a podium finish.
“With the form we’ve been in this year, I think we have a good chance of getting into the top guys,” Miller told AAP this week.
We’ll try, it’s a place I like to come and go. I think it’s one of the best tracks on the calendar and luckily it’s my home Grand Prix too.
“I’m looking forward to being out there. The weather won’t be ideal, but it doesn’t make sense to look at the weather forecast here, because if the wind changes we will have beautiful sunshine or it could be freezing. “
Miller took an early lead in his last two home races before falling back to seventh place on both occasions – his best result on the famous island circuit.
The 24-year-old’s three podiums this season – in Austin, the Czech Republic and Aragon – and his efforts to regularly qualify in the first two rows have earned him a contract extension for 2020.
“It was a real confidence boost, I think next year I’ll just be stronger again,” said Miller.
Jacks back: Jack Miller on a MotoGp media call this week. Photo: Getty
“A couple of podium places have definitely helped our self-confidence grow as a team and I have the feeling that I’m becoming more mature as a driver as well.”
The Spanish superstar Marc Marquez has already completed this year’s world championship and won his eighth world title with a win on his Repsol Honda in Thailand.
If history is any clue, Marquez will either celebrate his eleventh win of the season in Australian MotoGP or he won’t finish at all.
In seven starts in the Australian MotoGP, Marquez has won twice and crashed or suffered a technical defect five times.
“The main goal is to fight for victory, but it’s a track to feel,” said Marquez.
“You have to have the feeling that you can win because there are very fast corners and that means a lot of risk.
“It’s a track where it’s better to stay calm and get on the podium or try to finish the race if you don’t feel it.
The nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi is seventh with 205 championship points behind Marquez, but is hoping for a turn of luck in his 400th race.
“It’s good to be in the 400 here on Phillip Island because it’s an iconic place for MotoGP,” said Rossi.
After his debut in the 125cc class in 1996, the 40-year-old will reach the remarkable milestone in a race he has won six times.
“All drivers love the track because it is something special compared to the others – it is one of the best places.
“We are praying for a weekend with blue skies and fantastic temperatures, but unfortunately the good weather came a little early in anticipation of the weekend.
“So we will certainly have to deal with the difficult conditions at Phillip Island, but it’s still a pleasure.”
-with AAP
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