MotoGP: Jack Miller's cheeky request leaves Ducati bosses in stitches at Pramac launch

LOOK, if you don’t ask you don’t receive — and Jack Miller isn’t afraid to aim high.

The Australian MotoGP ace switches to Ducati this year, appearing for the first time in his new Alma Pramac Racing colours at the team’s launch.

His new squad didn’t mess around; the lavish affair was held at the factory of exotic supercar marque Lamborghini.

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Among the crowd were the big bosses of the two historic Italian firms; Lamborghini’s chairman and CEO Stefano Domenicali and Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali.

Then there was Ducati racing chiefs Paolo Ciabatti and Gigi Dall’Igna, Pramac Racing chiefs Paolo Campinoti and Francesco Guidotti, plus two and four-wheel legends Mick Doohan and Riccardo Patrese.

And Miller’s brief interlude in the spotlight had them all in stitches.

Watch the video in the player below!

Miller's cheeky prize request

0:39

He gave all the right answers to the usual season launch questions: “It’s amazing to see the livery; I’m really excited for the upcoming season; we want to be close to the top guys each week.”

Then the night’s presenters asked him a doozy.

“If you had a chance to ask for a special present from Paolo for your first podium with the team, what would you ask for?”

Standing in the heart of the Lamborghini factory, Miller’s cheeky Australian wit took over.

“I think we saw many of them today outside!” he said, referring to the line-up of Lamborghini’s latest supercars on the factory premises.

“The new (Huracan) Permormante looks very nice ... I’m not picky, anything will do!”

Miller's bosses appear to appreciate the Australian sense of humour. Pic: PramacSource: Supplied

The serious stuff starts on Friday with opening practice for the first race of the 2018 season in Qatar.

Miller performed strongly in his three pre-season tests on the bike in Malaysia, Thailand and Qatar, his long-run form leaving him quietly confident of his hopes when the red lights go out to start the race early on Monday morning AEDT.

“My feeling at the moment with the bike is amazing,” he said. “Since the first day in Valencia we’ve improved step-by-step, day-by-day. I enjoy riding the bike.

“The main focus throughout all the testing was to work on the race pace and try to build the race pace. I really felt a big step with this in Thailand, and also Qatar was quite good for us.

Miller 3rd in MotoGP testing

1:54

“This seems to be the strong point, I feel, on the bike at the moment. I’m able to do quite consistent lap times. Gives us some confidence going into the first race.”

The opening round of the season at Qatar gets underway on Friday with a pair of practice sessions under the lights at Losail.

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