Australian MotoGP ace Jack Miller is ready to attack his third season in the sport’s premier class at full speed.
In his first campaign on the Marc VDS Honda last year, Miller broke through for his maiden win in the rain at Assen, but injuries forced him to miss five of 18 races.
The 22-year-old admits to a high degree of frustration at the leg, wrist and back injuries that derailed his attempts to build on his stunning win at the Dutch TT.
But on the eve of a new campaign – the 2017 season begins under lights at the Losail circuit in Qatar on Sunday – Miller is in a good space both physically and mentally.
“I feel great … it’s been a really positive off-season,” Miller told AAP.
“I had three weeks off after getting surgery on my leg to remove four plates and a heap of screws so I had a bit of a rest, (but since) then I’ve basically been training flat out.
“It was frustrating at times last year but I’m feeling really good going into this season … I’m 100 per cent fit.
“I’m looking forward to kicking things off on the right foot.”
After graduating from the LCR Honda to the Marc VDS bike ahead of last season Miller’s familiarity with the machine allowed him to make positive inroads in off-season testing in Valencia, Malaysia and Melbourne’s Phillip Island circuit.
“I feel strong as – we had an awesome test season and I feel like we’re really on top of things leading into the season,” he said.
“I feel better on the bike … it’s working a little more to my liking.
“I think we’ve got a pretty positive package but we probably won’t quite see that at the start of the year.
“Some of the early tracks, especially Qatar, are really suited to the Ducatis, but we’ll see what we can do when we get to races like Argentina, Texas and Jerez.
“But our lap times in testing were really quick … we’ve just got our fingers crossed that the weather stays good at the weekend and we can turn that testing into a good result to start the season.”
Miller isn’t setting any lofty goals for 2017.
After the rollercoaster of last season, the Queenslander will be delighted to extract the best out of his bike and finish every race.
The new season shapes as an intriguing one at the front of the grid where there have been several rider changes at the factory teams.
Reigning world champion Marc Marquez looms as the one to beat on his Repsol Honda.
But Jorge Lorenzo – who moved from Movistar Yamaha to Ducati – and Maverick Vinales – who left Team Suzuki Ecstar to replace Lorenzo – will be riders to watch.
“I think it’s going to come down to Vinales and Marquez … I think both of those guys will be really strong,” Miller said.
“Vinales has definitely got speed on his side, I think he’s the faster of the two at the moment, but Marquez has more experience.
“And who knows what Valentino Rossi and Lorenzo are going to be able to pull out of the bag?
“I think it’s shaping up to be a really good season.”
