Miller's misfortune at Misano: Vibration issues hinder progress

Jack Miller faced a challenging race at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, finishing 16th after a promising start at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider showcased his skill early on but ultimately struggled with technical issues.

The second visit to Misano in as many weeks saw perfect racing conditions, with late summer sunbathing the 4.2km Italian circuit. Miller, starting from a lowly 19th position on the grid, demonstrated his racing prowess by cutting through the field in the opening laps.

The Australian's early charge was impressive, as he managed to climb up to 10th place in the initial stages of the race. However, Miller's progress was halted by an unexpected vibration issue that plagued his KTM machine for the remainder of the Grand Prix.

"I got away to a decent start but by the third lap I reached my maximum pace and that was all I had," Miller explained after the race. "Then we had a vibration issue. I tried to have a push a couple of times but I almost fell off more than once."

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The technical problem severely hampered Miller's ability to maintain his early momentum, forcing him to focus on bringing the bike home safely rather than pushing for a better position. Despite his best efforts, he crossed the finish line in 16th place, outside the points-scoring positions.

Reflecting on his performance, Miller expressed his disappointment: "We have some work to do. It was a hard day and a bit disappointing. We tried some things to fix it this weekend but we need to go back and have another look to find the maximum of the tire and try to improve."

The result leaves Miller 15th in the championship standings, highlighting the challenges he has faced in his debut season with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. However, the Australian remains determined to bounce back in the upcoming races.

Francesco Guidotti, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager, acknowledged the difficulties faced by both Miller and his teammate Brad Binder, who crashed out of contention early in the race. "Jack also made a strong start but also had some contact with other riders and lost time running off-line. His feeling wasn't too bad but we still need to look well at his race and set-up," Guidotti commented.

With the MotoGP™ circus now heading to Asia for back-to-back races in Indonesia and Japan, Miller and his team will be working hard to address the issues that hindered his performance at Misano. The Australian will be keen to return to form, especially with his home Grand Prix at Phillip Island on the horizon.