Jack Miller slashes Moto3 title deficit with aggressive ride to second in Malaysian Grand Prix

JACK Miller has slashed his deficit in the Moto3 world title chase after the Malaysian Grand Prix — pending a protest.

Moto3 rider Jack Miller, (8), of Australia leads the pack during the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014. (AP Photo/Lai Seng Sin)

JACK Miller has slashed his deficit in the Moto3 world title chase after the Malaysian Grand Prix — pending a protest.

Miller was pipped to the finish line by Efren Vazquez by a bikelength, with Alex Rins third and points leader Alex Marquez finishing fifth after a frenzied race among the lead group.

The Australian teen showed just how badly he wants to win the world championship, refusing to be bullied by Marquez and teammate Rins as the pair worked as a team to try clinch the title for Marquez.

Miller and Marquez made contact with each other several times during the race, as each tried to assert their dominance over the other.

Marquez’s team has lodged an official protest into Miller’s riding during the race, with race officials set to review the race after the conclusion of the Moto2 race.

#Moto3 @jackmilleraus & @alexmarquez23 have touched several times and neither will give up the win, #MalaysianGP pic.twitter.com/LzKXHoH6Ur

— MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) October 26, 2014

Miller agreed that it had been an aggressive ride, but necessarily so.

“I did what I could to try and survive one more week and take the fight to Valencia,” Miller said.

The decisive move came at the start of the final lap. Miller outbraked Marquez and ran him wide heading into the Sepang circuit’s long first corner, before carving past Rins at the next corner to take the lead.

Marquez was unable to regain touch with the leading trio, Vazquez winning the race to the line from Miller and Rins.

The result means only Marquez and Miller can win the championship at the season finale at Valencia in a fortnight’s time.

Although a podium finish for Marquez would see him win the title, it is Miller who is carrying the momentum of his win at Phillip Island and a strong weekend in Malaysia.

“11 points down ... it’s a lot better than we were two races ago!” Miller said.

“We need to continue on this way and keep working hard.”

There was plenty to cheer about after the race, too, for fellow Australian Remy Gardner.

The teenage son of two-wheel legend Wayne Gardner finished 15th after a race-long scrap with four rivals, scoring his first world championship point.

Originally published as Jack Miller slashes Moto3 title deficit with aggressive ride to second in Malaysian Grand Prix