MotoGP race winner Jack Miller made his superbike racing debut in the Australian championship with a podium finish in The Bend finale.
Three weeks after the end of the MotoGP World Championship 2021 in Valencia, Miller had a guest wildcard appearance in the title decision of the Australian Superbike Championship on board a Ducati Panigale V4 R with standard electronics.
As a double winner on the Ducati GP21 – his first season as a works Corse driver – Miller didn’t need long to find his way around and fought against the front runners in two races with a red flag.
Despite struggling with his starts and being taken out of Race 1 by Aiden Wagner when his compatriot lost the front of his Yamaha while attempting to overtake, Miller recovered in Race 2 with a run to third place behind new champion Wayne Maxwell and Cru Halliday.
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“I think we can be pretty happy with this result,” said Miller. “The guys rode really well today. I’m usually pretty good at the start, but with this thing I’m trying to take off like I’m at the traffic lights and it won’t work!
Since he was denied the opportunity to compete earlier than planned due to Australia’s tight COVID restrictions, Miller said the opportunity to race even during his winter break was too good to pass up.
“There was a lot of fun. Thanks everyone for coming, it’s great to see ASBK like this.
“I love racing bikes, that’s why we’re here and I would love to come back and do it again.”