Jack Miller signs MotoGP deal for 2015
Australian motorcycle rising star Jack Miller will make history by becoming the first rider ever to move straight from Moto3 to MotoGP in 2015, skipping the Moto2 class completely.
The announcement that he has signed a deal to ride for LCR Honda on a Honda RC213V-RS Open Specification bike was made overnight.
The 19-year-old Townsville native, who currently rides for the Red Bull KTM Ajo team and leads the Moto3 Championship after 13 rounds, will ride alongside more experienced Brit Cal Crutchlow at LCR next season.
“I’m very happy to make the leap up to MotoGP next year, especially because I will do so alongside HRC. It’s a dream come true; I think that every rider would like to race at the highest level in the World Championship with a Honda,” Miller said.
“It is certainly a big jump from Moto3 to MotoGP, but I am convinced that we are ready and that, step-by-step, learning every day, we can do a great job. It’s a fantastic opportunity and I’m very excited about starting this new stage of my career with HRC, whom I wish to thank together with CWM LCR Honda Team. I’m looking forward to working with them!
“In the meantime, I remain fully focused on this season’s Moto3 World Championship. I will have to avoid any distraction in order to fight for the title.”
Interestingly, Miller is following a similar path to compatriot and two-time World Champion Casey Stoner. Stoner also rode for the Red Bull KTM Ajo team and made his premier class debut with LCR Honda in 2006.
Praise for Miller has been high within the MotoGP Paddock, with legends of the sport including Valentino Rossi commenting on his ability.
“I like Jack a lot. He’s also one of our rivals of my team in Moto3, but I think he can win the championship. I like a lot his attitude, also out of the track, so I think he can have a very good career in the future,” Rossi said.
Miller’s future teammate, Crutchlow drew comparisons between Stoner and Miller and expects him to be a strong challenger for wins in years to come.
“He’s absolutely a special talent, on and off the bike. Hopefully soon he can start to come up and show us his true talent on a bigger bike. People are already comparing him to Casey (Stoner), but for sure he’s going to be there, and be a fast guy at the front of MotoGP in years to come,” Crutchlow said.
The 2014 FIM MotoGP World Championship continues next weekend at Aragon in Spain, where Marc Marquez will aim to get back to his winning ways after crashing out of second place last weekend at Misano.
