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.

Jack Miller is sitting seventh in the MotoGP championship — his best season so far.

• Marquez brothers reign in Spain
• Queensland’s highest-earning sports stars

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 >

Jack Miller expects to sign with Pramac Ducati for 2020 soon.

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).

Jack Miller is sitting seventh in the MotoGP championship — his best season so far.

“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.

Damien Koppe and Jack Miller (43) battle it out in the 2019 King of the Canefields event.

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.

[e-mail]

@IanRoyall