Jack Miller delivered a resilient performance at the Motorland Aragón securing 11th place and emerging as the highest-placed Yamaha rider despite the brand’s ongoing struggles with straight-line speed.
The Australian rider expressed satisfaction with his race pace, highlighting the challenges faced by Yamaha while underscoring his determination to maximize the package at his disposal.
Miller recounted the race dynamics in a detailed post-race analysis, noting, “We had everything in our favor at the start. Unfortunately, in the end, we had to yield ground to . I tried to make it as difficult as possible for them, but it felt like the bike was fighting against me as well. Once you lose that advantage, which is my only strong point right now, everything becomes more complicated.” His candid assessment revealed the fundamental issue: Yamaha’s deficit in outright speed on the straights.
On the performance of his Yamaha machine, Miller was pragmatic: “The bike works quite well in the corners, honestly. I can’t fault it there. The problem is we lose too much on the straights, but we already know that. Complaining won’t help, so we just have to keep pushing forward with what we have. I was very happy with my pace and didn’t make any mistakes.” This level-headed approach underscores Miller’s commitment to extracting every ounce of potential despite the technical limitations.
The race was not without incident, as Miller experienced a minor clash with Joan Mir during the opening lap. He brushed off concerns about the contact, saying, “I had a little touch with Joan in the first lap, but other than that, it was a clean race, always gripping the track well. Towards the end, I tried to make things as tough as possible by braking hard into the final corner, but he passed me roughly halfway down the straight. Both Brad Binder and I did what we could.”
Tire management proved crucial, with Miller revealing, “I pushed hard and the tyres almost ran out at the perfect moment-on the last lap. It’s risky, but since I held on until the end, I’m quite pleased with my performance.” He also reflected on his pace in the sprint race, stating, “On Saturday, I was faster than Marc in the final sector, and that’s not coming off the back straight.”
Miller also weighed in on the dominant winner Marc Márquez’s race, observing, “Marc couldn’t ride like that in the main race because the front end understeers too much and you end up destroying the tyres. They were already quite worn. I was cautious to keep the tyres in good condition until the end. They wore out eventually, but that’s how it should be.”
Addressing Yamaha’s development, Miller acknowledged recent improvements: “A 20-horsepower boost on a bike… that’s going to change things. But even so, I think we’ve managed to turn things around quickly. This year the bike is running at full throttle. We’re doing what we can and will keep giving our best.”
Looking ahead beyond the current season, Miller shared his thoughts on the upcoming Adelaide street circuit scheduled for 2027: “I watched the video at the Safety Commission. It’s a city racing circuit, so it will be interesting to see how it all unfolds. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Jack Miller’s candid reflections reveal a rider grappling with technical challenges yet steadfast in his resolve to push Yamaha forward amid a fiercely competitive landscape.