MotoGP: Jack Miller fifth fastest in first test with Pramac Ducati at Valencia

JACK Miller couldn’t have asked for a much better first day in Ducati red.

Fifth place on the timesheets highlighted a solid first day of MotoGP post-season testing at Valencia, Miller’s first chance to get to grips with the Pramac Racing Ducati he will race in 2018.

The bike Miller is riding is the 2017-spec Desmosedici — the same one taken to six race wins and second place in the world championship by Andrea Dovizioso.

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And — so far — it’s better than what he was expecting.

“A lot of fun so far,” Miller told crash.net.

“Really enjoying my time with the team, not only on the bike but also with the crew and the staff I have here.

“Lap time wise it’s two tenths off my best time here so far, but we haven’t touched a thing on the bike yet, so hopefully this afternoon, we’ll go through and we’ll play around a little more once I become more at home, more adapted to the bike and we’ll see what the lap times and do.”

The 22-year-old spent the first three years of his MotoGP career riding a Honda, the last two on a bike a couple of steps in specification away from that which one the world title.

Miller heads out of the Pramac garage for the first time. Pic: Pramac RacingSource: Supplied

While both the Honda and the Ducati have reputations of being difficult bikes to ride at race-winning pace, Miller said the Italian machine appears more suited to his riding style.

“It’s different,” he said. “I get a really good reading off the front tyre, especially this morning when we went out and the track was so dirty and so cold, especially on the right-hand side.

Miller speaks with Ducati technical chief Gigi Dall’igna, with as many factory Ducati staffers as Pramac crew in the garage. Pic: Pramac RacingSource: Supplied

“I feel really good contact feeling with the rear tyre, and of course the speed is there as well; we all know the Ducati’s been one of the strongest on the straights, and it’s definitely nice to get the thing wound up, that’s for sure.

“The braking stability is really, really good on it, I haven’t really found the limit on it in terms of braking, because it’s just so strong.

Miller got both wheels off the deck on his first day aboard a Ducati! Pic: Pramac RacingSource: Supplied

“The bike definitely doesn’t wheelie as much as the other thing did, and I’m enjoying that. Makes it easier just to focus on the line.

“This morning on a completely used tyres I got a little bit carried away there, and I was able to spin the hell out of the tires. So I definitely have to be a little bit more gentle on the wrist, I think, but the rest of the bike seems to suit my style.”

Miller will spend another day testing the bike at Valencia on Wednesday, which you can watch live on FOX SPORTS, before a final test for 2018 at Jerez before the winter break.

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