Despite being labeled as the leader of the new project of the Borgo Panigale brand after the era commanded by Andrea Dovizioso , the rider from Townsville was presented with the option of signing for a single year, for the two that were offered to Pecco Bagnaia , his companion.
After a first stage of the World Cup in which he did not meet the expectations generated by his promotion to the official team –he added only 14 points in the first three tests–, Jack Miller has emerged stronger than ever and has accumulated two consecutive wins, that automatically relaunch their options to fight for a title that less than a month ago seemed to move away from their reach in a very painful way. The stiffness in the forearms prevented him from exhibiting his best version, the one he showed in the preseason. The fall in Portimao , just after undergoing surgery for compartment syndrome, only added more pressure and caused doubts, as he himself recognized.
“The thing is that Jack himself set very high expectations for this year, moving up to the factory team. He seems like a very tough guy, but he is very sensitive and has a big heart. For him, getting to the official team was a dream”, explains Paolo Ciabatti , Ducati sporting director, to Motorsport.com . “But then came the forearm problems. And when everyone expects so much from you, and suddenly it doesn’t go well for you, well, that has a significant psychological impact”, continues the executive.
However, Jerez arrived and with the Andalusian circuit the turning point. A change of trend motivated, the matter already has crumbs, by the blockade of Quartararo , who also had to go through the operating room when he was left with hardly any sensitivity in his hands. Miller ‘s victory on the Andalusian track set him free, and the consequences of this were seen last Sunday, in a stupendously planned and even better executed race at Le Mans . Neither a track exit nor a double rodeo (long lap) prevented the #43 from offering an exhibition on asphalt slippery as a wet mirror. The victory not only re-engages him in the fight for the championship, but in all likelihood will certify the extension of his contract, something that, according to what Motorsport.com understands, will be finalized in the coming days.
Miller is delighted with the treatment he has received. He feels protected and at home, after having landed in the garage with his trusted technicians who have already accompanied him in Pramac. In fact, Paolo Campinoti , owner of the structure, played a determining role so that ‘Thriller’ did not go to KTM, in spite of himself, when Gigi Dall’Igna , the general manager, made the threat of taking Jorge Lorenzo back . On that occasion, the idea of tempting the Spaniard was born from the intention of putting pressure on Dovi , even though that operation could leave Miller offside. “I wouldn’t know if Jack has forgiven that, but he has preferred to forget it,” someone from his closest environment tells the writer of these lines.
Ducati , in turn, is in luck and has reason to be. Nine months ago, when Andrea Dovizioso announced that he would no longer be wearing the red suit, uncertainty settled around the manufacturer’s garage. In a total rethinking, the leadership, with Claudio Domenicali and Dall’Igna at the helm, chose to promote Miller and Bagnaia, Pramac’s partner, trusting that they could take that last step forward thanks to the constructor’s resources. At the gates of the sixth stop on the calendar, Pecco is just one point behind the leader of the general table (Fabio Quartararo ), while his teammate has won two of the five races held so far.
“The truth is that the arrival of Jack and Pecco has meant a change, both because of their youth and because of their ambition and desire. His predisposition is absolute, and that is very positive because it spreads to the rest of the team”, Ciabatti points out.
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