Country kid Jack Miller set to sign with MotoGP giants Repsol Honda

A KID they call “Aussie Jack’’ is set to become Australia’s next sporting superstar. Jack Miller is set to sign with two-wheeled giants Repsol Honda.

HOHENSTEIN-ERNSTTHAL, GERMANY - JULY 13: Jack Miller of Australia and Red Bull KTM Ajo celebrate the victory on the podium at the end of the Moto3 race during the MotoGp of Germany - Race at Sachsenring Circuit on July 13, 2014 in Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)

A KID they call “Aussie Jack’’ is set to become Australia’s next world sporting superstar.

Son of a North Queensland cattle farmer, Jack Miller is on the verge of becoming a MotoGP rider with two-wheeled giants Repsol Honda.

The Sunday Telegraph can exclusively reveal Miller, 19, will soon be announced as our next Casey Stoner with Repsol Honda to sign
the battler from the bush to a deal that will see him take on the likes of Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi in the world’s second biggest motorsport category.

A giant-killing year in Moto3 will see Miller continue the proud Australian motorcycle racing legacy forged by Wayne Gardner, Mick Doohan and Stoner, with the kid raised on a Townsville cattle farm to be signed by one of the sport’s biggest teams.

Sources have told The Sunday Telegraph Miller is a “done deal’’ with Repsol Honda, the team already agreeing to terms with the rider who has come from the clouds to replace Stoner as Australia’s newest two-wheeled hope.

The deal, which will see Miller join reigning world champion Marc Marquez in the fully factory-backed Honda team, is expected to be announced as soon as this week.

Honda Repsol boss Livio Suppo compared Miller to Stoner when revealing his interest in the whiz kid.

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“I’m very disappointed because he’s not riding a Honda now,’’ said Suppo. “One year ago in Indy when Jack was on a Honda in Moto3, (HRC executive vice-president Shuhei) Nakam-oto and myself tried to convince him to remain on a Honda. We told him that we planned to do a new bike, but of course he had a very interesting offer from our competitors, and he accepted it.

“ I was sorry that Jack isn’t on a Honda now. He’s doing very well. Last year, our machine was not as good as the others, but still he was the only one on that bike who could stay with the leaders.

“ Sometimes he was taking too much risk and crashing, but he was still showing what I think is the most important thing in a rider, like Casey (Stoner) said, the attitude of don’t give up and don’t complain about what you have, try to get the best out of what you have.”

The sport’s biggest stars have endorsed Miller has the man to continue Australia’s proud two-wheeled tradition.

MotoGP legend Rossi was among several top-liners to declare the Australian a MotoGP champion in the making.“I like Jack a lot. He’s also one of our rivals of my team in Moto3, but I think he can win the championship,’’ said the Yamaha rider.

Honda top-gun Marquez also sees a bright future for the teenager who is set to be revealed as his teammate in the powerhouse outfit.

“Jack’s progression has been quite good and this year he is really strong, leading the championship,’’ he said.

Spanish king and former champion Lorenzo gave Miller the ultimate compliment for a motorbike racer by declaring the young giant-slayer and heir to Stoner’s throne “crazy’’.

But little is known of Miller in Australia. Expect that to change.

Originally published as Country kid Jack Miller set to sign with MotoGP giants Repsol Honda