MotoGP: Jack Miller close to signing new Ducati deal for 2020
MotoGP is about to resume after the mid-year break and Aussie star Jack Miller expects some good news to continue his strong season.
Motorsport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Motorsport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Aussie MotoGP star Jack Miller is “just days away” from signing a contract to stay with the Pramac Ducati team for 2020.
The 24-year-old Queenslander said contract talks were wrapping up and could even be signed and sealed when the MotoGP season resumes this weekend in the Czech Republic after the mid-year break.
“Yeah, we’re pretty close. Most of it’s done, we’re just working on some of the details,’’ Miller told the Herald Sun.
“But I’ll be riding with the Pramac Ducati team next year.’’
Live stream the 2019 Czech Republic MotoGP on your TV, mobile, tablet or laptop with KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14 day free trial >
Miller will get the new Ducati Desmosedici GP20 to ride next year as will teammate Pecco Bagnaia.
The sole Aussie in the premier category, Miller hopes a re-signed deal will kick his season along even further, sitting in seventh place in the championship at the halfway mark — his best season so far.
Miller (70 points) is just 10 points behind Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi and three ahead of gun rookie Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) and former teammate Cal Crutchlow (Honda).
“The second half of the season has some of the tracks where I go pretty well and have picked up some points in the past — Malaysia, San Marino and of course Phillip Island.’’
“And so far this year we’ve shown that we’ve been there or thereabouts.’’
See you in Q2 @jackmilleraus!#GermanGP @motogp pic.twitter.com/R5NaKDBndL
— Pramac Racing MotoGP (@pramacracing) July 6, 2019
Miller has recorded one podium (a third in the US), and has never been worse than ninth in six finishes. Only his three retirements have slowed his progress.
Miller has enjoyed three weeks back in Townsville relaxing with family and only bobbed up on a dirt bike in the Ayr Motorcycle Club’s King of the Canefields event earlier this month when he finished runner-up.
Miller is now heading to Brno, a circuit that has not been a happy hunting ground in the past.
Honda’s defending world champion Marc Marquez is set to continue his dominance. The Spaniard has won five races and was runner-up in another three, setting up a 58-point lead over Ducati factory rider Andrea Dovizioso.
Top independent rider heading into the summer break, @jackmilleraus! 💪#MotoGP | 📰 https://t.co/ohoepBbIKe
— MotoGPâ„¢ 🇨🇿 (@MotoGP) July 19, 2019
In Moto2, Australian Remy Gardner is hoping to regain his early-season spark when he secured a fourth and a second in the opening rounds.
Netflix consider bold move for F1 TV rights
After the success of the Drive to Survive series, Netflix are expected to make a bid on broadcast rights to stream Formula 1 live.
Former Formula 1 star set to race in Australia
A Formula 1 legend is heading to Australia to compete in the Race of Champions, with a month until some of the biggest names in motorsport line up on the grid at Accor Stadium.