Jack Miller closes the long Ducati parenthesis with some veins of melancholy. The rider’s words about the Borgo Panigale manufacturer.
The marriage between Ducati and Jack Miller is coming to an end after five seasons together and about twenty podiums (3 victories). Already at the end of the 2021 season it was clear that he would not find a place in the factory team, the Emilian company had already set its sights on the then rookie Jorge Martin. Then the 2022 World Championship opened with an acute from Enea Bastianini, the second victory came in Austin, the third in Le Mans, until he earned the saddle in the official team.
The Australian rider had nothing left to do but look around the MotoGP paddock and find the best accommodation. The best offer has arrived from KTM, the RC16 will certainly not be there Ducati Desmosedici, but will have a factory team and an ambitious environment directed by an old acquaintance like Francesco Guidotti. He will team up with rising star Brad Binder and on paper they will form one of the most ambitious driver duos in the World Championship. But he will never forget the five-year period with Ducati.
Jack Miller-Ducati: first love is never forgotten
In Valencia he raced his last Grand Prix astride the Borgo Panigale red, he celebrated Pecco Bagnaia’s world victory almost as if it were his own. Hugs, jokes, a few tears from those who have fully known Jack Miller, an extraordinary pilot but also a man with a deep and sensitive heart despite the appearance of a tough guy. He owes a lot to Ducati and viceversa: “It was a game changer for me and my career“, he said at the end of the last weekend in Cheste.
The Australian rider has been on the podium twenty times with the Ducati colours, the last time in Thailand last October, just a week before he won at Motegi. “It was a great trip, I learned a lot“. Too bad having to put an end to this adventure that lasted five glorious seasons: “The decision was mine alone“. Such a long and glorious parenthesis cannot end in any vein of controversy, even if there were some small skirmishes before announcing his passage into KTM.
Both want to preserve a great memory of each other, even if from next season MotoGP they will be rivals on the track. “It has been an important part of my career, an important part of me, I learned to ride a MotoGP bike and my success was born here with the Ducati“, concluded Miller. “It’s been my home for the last five years and it’s sad to see the end. But I’m also very excited to start the next chapter“.
