Marco Bezzecchi
Jack Miller is one of the most intelligent MotoGP riders on the grid, and Neil Hodgson spotted something during the pre-practice qualifying session at the Valencia Grand Prix that shows just how in-tune he is with his bike.
The Australian rider is in the midst of his worst season in the premier class since his sophomore year in 2016, with the calibre of bike that he rides atop holding the majority of the blame.
Despite scoring more points in the current campaign, Miller has spent the least amount of time within the top three riders since his rookie season in the year prior.
However, he continues to show why he was the man out of himself and Miguel Oliveira to be kept on by Pramac as Toprak Razgatlioglu makes his way over to MotoGP from World Superbikes.
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Neil Hodgson praises Jack Miller’s ability to find the ‘perfect’ braking point in Valencia
During TNT Sports’ coverage of the pre-practice qualifying session at the Valencia Grand Prix, commentators Neil Hodgson and Gavin Emmett were stunned by Miller’s race craft during the final sector of his flying laps.
After setting a time good enough for the third spot on the timing sheets, Hodgson lauded him, saying, “Perfect that, wasn’t it?”
Emmett then chimed in with, “That little run behind, and he goes up. Made up a lot of time in that last sector there, Jack, didn’t he? That’s why it pays off having a marker.”
“It was perfect. Yeah, the perfect distance,” replied Hodgson.
Emmett then detailed how tough it is to get a good entry into the final corner of the circuit, saying, “Over that top, through 13 down to 14. It’s quite, I’m not saying featureless, but it can’t be easy to get your reference yet.”
To which Hodgson added, “Especially at this time of day, because the sun’s going down, and it’s sort of right in your eye. It makes it really difficult when you race it into that part of the track.”
The Australian ended up making it straight into Saturday’s second session of the qualifying shootout after setting the sixth fastest time on the grid. He was just over three tenths behind Pedro Acosta’s table-topping benchmark.
READ MORE: Jack Miller’s MotoGP bike has one significant disadvantage that Yamaha’s V4 engine should fix
Jack Miller is hoping that Yamaha’s new V4-powered bike can aid his move up the MotoGP standings next season
Miller has been an integral part of Yamaha’s development in regards to their brand new V4-powered prototype next season.
The 30-year-old is the only rider within the stable of the Japanese constructor who has had prior experience with such an engine layout, and it was a key factor in them retaining his services for the upcoming campaign.
During his debut season with Yamaha machinery this year, Miller has identified several issues with the current spec of M1 that need to be addressed before the new V4-powered M1 is thrust into the spotlight as the main bike of their riders.
If engineers are unable to sort out the problems that he has presented them with, they could be looking at a more dismal return on their 2026 challenge upon the commencement of the new season.
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