The Australian went under the microscope after the Doha GP in Barcelona last week for an operation on an arm pump problem that flared up at the second race in Qatar.
Miller’s problem meant he emerged ninth from the second round of the 2021 season after finishing in the same position due to a tire problem at the Qatar GP.
The Ducati rider’s operation was considered a success at the time and he has not struggled with it so far during the Portuguese GP weekend.
However, he admits he won’t know if his arm pump issue has really been resolved until he tests it through the quick right corners in Jerez later this month.
“I feel good, the arm feels pretty good even after the operation,” said Miller on Friday after finishing fifth overall.
“I was able to do all the training that I had to do during the week.
“You never know until you get on the bike, but it feels really good, I feel powerful in my hand and there are no negative effects from it.
“I think I am 100%. But as I said in advance, we won’t really know if the operation was a huge success, I don’t think so, until we arrive in Jerez where there are more right handed people.
“It’s the fast right-handers that I seem to struggle with, but I’m happy to be here, happy to be healthy, and you ride this distance with a massive smile on your face every time. It just feels awesome to be here. “
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Friday’s practice in Portugal was notable for the return of six-time MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez, who finished sixth on the timesheet 0.004 seconds ahead of Miller – and admitted that he hadn’t understood his training pace.
Miller admits seeing Marquez smile in his garage “made me smile” and believes his return “will raise all of our levels”.
“We all know how extremely talented this guy is and what he does on a motorcycle. You watch the session and see him doing some things. You think how did he do it?” He said of Marquez.
“Still today, and I think he drove with a certain lead today.
“For me it made me smile when I saw him smile in the garage because you know how much this sport means to him and to all of us. It’s what we love, and if you can’t for nine months, it wouldn’t be an easy thing to do.
“Seeing him out there again, what he loves and what he does best is fantastic for all of us and I think it will improve our overall level.”