Jack Miller, the only rider who previously jumped directly from Moto3 to MotoGP, supported Darryn Binder to make the move successful in 2022.
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Binder was officially confirmed as a Riding for the new WithU RNF Yamaha team, who replaces the Sepang Racing Team he is currently racing for in Moto3.
Miller made his MotoGP switch in 2015, skipping Moto2 entirely to debut on an open-class Honda.
After just 17 points (and the 19th) in his rookie season, Miller improved to 82 points (11th) in his third and final year with Honda, including a surprisingly wet win at Assen in 2018.
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After joining Ducati, Miller took his first dry podiums in 2019 and 2020 with two wins in the factory colors so far this season.
Miller was only 20 when he made his MotoGP debut, but Binder – the younger brother of KTM MotoGP winner Brad – will be a more mature 24 next January, with seven Grand Prix races under his belt (compared to three for Miller).
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Miller, on the other hand, took six outstanding wins and ten podiums in his final Moto3 season, narrowly losing the title to Alex Marquez. Binder meanwuile has only two podium places at the start in Qatar this year and is sixth overall. His only Grand Prix win came at Catalunya 2020.
“I think he has all the power. Having stood by this throughout my MotoGP career, this move doesn’t come twice for a lot of people when you get the chance, when you know what I mean,” said Miller.
“If you have the chance, it’s best to get in and try it because a lot of people can’t do that, they can’t ride the fastest motorcycles in the world against the best riders in the world.
“So if you have the opportunity why not use it and if someone can, I think it’s Daz. He has this wild style, he can ride a bike when it moves and what not. So i don’t think this will be a problem.
“He’s got a lot more experience on bigger bikes than I did when I moved to MotoGP, he rode superbikes and 600s and all.
“But yes, nothing can prepare you for any of these things [MotoGP], it’s so far from everything else you never know until you’re here. So just try to come here. “
An alternative point of view came from Aprilias Aleix Espargaro, who was a bit at a loss when making the decision and believes that some kind of MotoGP super license – obtained through experience in other classes – could be the way forward.
“It’s a very strange situation. I agree to a super license or something like that,” said Espargaro. “I prefer not to comment too much … I mean, I really don’t understand anything about this movement [decision].
“It’s not that I don’t like it, but I can’t find a reason for it … It’s the most bizarre movement I’ve ever seen in my life!”