Jack Miller and Dani Pedrosa ride Melbourne CBD
Ahead of this weekend’s centenary Tissot Australian Grand Prix, Dani Pedrosa and Jack Miller grabbed all of the attention in Melbourne as the respective Spanish and Australian riders rode their ways alongside the iconic Yarra River.
With the Repsol Honda Team MotoGP machine and Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 bike having taken in the famous sights of Melbourne en route from Avalon Airport, it was down to Pedrosa and Miller to seize the moment as the two riders took in the spectacular city skyline and riverside scenery in a truly unique start to the weekend.
As the bikes passed by, the duo’s exploits were watched on closely by Australians Anthony West as well as wildcard hotshots Remy Gardner (son of Wayne, 500cc World Champion of 1987) and Olly Simpson of Moto3 plus Aiden Wagner, who is all-set for his Moto2 debut fresh from training with Tito Rabat in Spain.
“It was great to have the chance to be here in Melbourne and ride alongside the Yarra River,” Pedrosa commented. “The hardest part was getting the bike to actually stand up straight, as we obviously couldn’t ride at the kind of speed you see at Phillip Island! Riding in the city was a special way to arrive in Australia.”
“This was some great extra testing – I just had to be careful not to crash into the river!” Miller joked before looking with more earnestness to a vitally important weekend. “It was awesome to see crowds of home fans getting up close to the bikes. Now we will head to the race track; after losing crucial points in Japan, there is no longer any option but to go flat-out for the win and the 25 points that come with it.”
Pedrosa also had a low speed topple over which caused a little embarassment and a few laughs at the Spaniard’s expense, while Jack Miller pulled a few monos for the assembled media throng.
Pedrosa and Miller will be back on-board their bikes at Phillip Island on Friday. Opening Moto3 practice will commence at 10am local time, with MotoGP following immediately from 10:55 local time (GMT +11).