MotoGP 2019: Jack Miller primed for big year on new Ducati

The new MotoGP season looms as a breakout year for Jack Miller. The young Aussie is the No.1 rider for his team, Alma Pramac, and he’s determined to start with a bang in Qatar.

DOHA, QATAR - FEBRUARY 25: Jack Miller of Australia and Alma Pramac Racing speaks with journalists during the MotoGP Tests - Day Three at Losail Circuit on February 25, 2019 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)

The new MotoGP season looms as a breakout year for Aussie Jack Miller.

The 24-year-old Alma Pramac team rider will pilot the new 2019 Ducati Desmosedici machine when round one starts in Qatar this weekend.

Miller graduates to the latest-spec bike from the 2017 version he rode last year to 13th place in the championship.

MARC OF A CHAMPION

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Now No.1 rider for his team, Miller has reason for optimism after being third and 11th fastest in the Sepang and Qatar pre-season tests. Both times he was faster than Ducati factory team lead rider Andrea Dovizioso.

“I’m excited, there’s a lot of anticipation heading into Qatar. It’s a big year for me being on the factory bike,’’ he said.

Jack Miller during testing at the Losail Circuit in Qatar. Pic: Getty Images

Miller is starting his fifth year in the premier class of motorcycle racing and his second at Ducati. Last year he achieved a career-best 91 championship points and two fourth places (Argentina and France) were his best results.

This year top-three finishes are realistic rather than hopeful.

Jack Miller is hopeful of podium finishes this season on the 2019 Ducati. Pic: Getty Images

“In terms of targets, the target is always to arrive to the podium and I’d like to do this a few times this year but of course the first goal is to achieve it one time.’’

GALLERY: 2019 @pramacracing Team

Check out the new livery of @PeccoBagnaia and @jackmilleraus machines for the 2019 #MotoGP season.#MotoGP | 📸 https://t.co/f3jAdm1BLF pic.twitter.com/6IQg1UAUjG

— MotoGPâ„¢ 🇶🇦 (@MotoGP) February 27, 2019

Miller’s former teammate Danilo Petrucci has moved to the Ducati factory team with Dovizioso.

Qualifying for Qatar is early on Sunday morning (Melbourne time), with the race at 4am on Monday.

40 and ready to race again. Italian legend Valentino Rossi in Qatar. Pic: AFP

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ROSSI AT 40

The statistics for Italian great Valentino Rossi speak for themselves — 23 years, 9 world titles including 7 in premier class, 115 race victories.

And he’s not finished yet because he is contracted to Yamaha until the end of 2020 when he will be almost 42.

Rossi’s place in motorcycle racing legend is assured, his impact on the sport undeniable.

And “The Doctor’s” competitive fire still burns. The fan favourite finished third last year and, along with Dovizioso, he’s a likely contender to the Honda stranglehold this year.

Class act.

Valentino Rossi won’t hear of retirement. Picture: Mark Stewart

Valentino Rossi pops a wheelie at Phillip Island. Picture: Mark Stewart

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Between them Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo have won every MotoGP championship since Casey Stoner in 2011. Now they are teamed up at the Honda factory team.

Both men are focused and serious, so expect to see the 93 and 99 orange and red rockets at the front of the pack often. Very often. The only small question mark is over Marquez’s recovery and fitness after surgery on his left shoulder in December.

Repsol Honda MotoGP riders Marc Marquez (left) and Jorge Lorenzo. Pic: AFP

THE ROOKIES

Every year, pundits go looking for the next big thing. And the Class of 2019 looks like a pretty handy bunch.

Most promising is probably Francesco Bagnaia, Miller’s Ducati teammate and Moto2 champion. Known as Pecco, the 22-year-old product of Rossi’s VR46 riders’ academy has impressed in testing.

Frenchman Fabio Quartararo, 19, on the satellite Yamaha caught everyone’s eye at the Qatar test, being second quickest behind Maverick Vinales (Yamaha) over the three days.

And then there’s Joan Mir, now at Suzuki, and Miguel Oliveira on the KTM. As they say in footy, this year’s draft runs deep.

Italian Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia will ride for Alma Pramac Ducati. Pic: AFP

KTM HOPES

The plight of the KTM factory team this year will be an intriguing story to follow after talented Frenchman Johann Zarco surprised some by signing for the Austrian manufacturer from Yamaha. The two-time Moto2 champion has the ability to get plenty out of any bike he rides and he could be the right man to elevate KTM up the standings in just its third year in the sport’s premier class. It might take a while but this relationship could flourish.

French MotoGP racer Johann Zarco, this year with KTM.

GO REMY

In Moto2, Aussie Remy Gardner — son of 1987 world 500cc champion Wayne — has a new team, new engine and new reasons to be hopeful. He was ninth and third fastest in the two pre-season tests for the SAG Racing team. The Moto2 bikes will run the Triumph three-cylinder engine for the first time this year. So here’s to a Remy triumph in 2019.

Australian Remy Gardner who will ride for SAG Racing in Moto2 in 2019.