One of the big talking points during the last round in Germany was what has quickly become known as the ‘Jack Miller Affair’. Whilst there are often very similar situations within the sport (Aleix Espargaro had to pay his way out of the Aspar contract to join Forward this year, and may have to do so again to join Suzuki for 2015) often they are kept hidden from public airing.
The 19 year-old’s situation took a dramatic twist, however, when his prospective team for 2015 spoke publicly prior to Sachsenring.
A short (-ish) summary of the story up to now goes as follows:
-Miller finishes seventh in the 2013 Moto3 World Championship but crucially was the top Honda rider in the series and had shown huge promise on a seriously under-powered bike.
-With his family no longer able to financially support his racing career he snaps up a contract with the Red Bull KTM Ajo team.
-He is subsequently also offered a contract in Moto2 for 2015 with the Marc VDS Team and personally signs a letter of intent whilst in Australia.
-In early 2014, after previously being managed by his parents, his new team manager Aki Ajo assumes a position as Miller’s personal manager.
-Prior to the German GP, Marc VDS issue a statement in which they reiterate their position that a letter of intent constitutes a binding contract.
– Miller states in qualifying press conference “I have no contract; not binding anyway.”
– There is a suggestion that Miller feels he signed a pre-contract under pressure, believing his parents had confirmed a deal which they hadn’t.
-He is also rumoured to have attracted interest from Honda to move straight into MotoGP, bypassing Moto2 completely.
Legal allegations and wrangles aside, which will no doubt rumble on throughout the rest of the year – and hopefully won’t derail Miller’s Moto3 title aspirations – the question should be whether a step straight in MotoGP would be the right move for the popular Aussie.
The last three Moto2 World Champions are now plying their trade with relative success in MotoGP, with Bradl, Marquez and Espargaro all enjoying rides on top machinery and the elbow-down style the trio all mastered on the 600s is starting to become the norm amongst the big boys now. With that in mind, Moto2 looks to be better preparation than any other avenue.
In his time, Casey Stoner only spent a single season in 250s before moving quickly up to MotoGP aged just 20, as Miller will be next year. Since his retirement, however, there is a lack of an Aussie on top machinery, with just Bryan Staring last year and Broc Parkes this term being forced to campaign on under-performing bikes. Race organisers at Phillip Island and Australian broadcasters have been haemorrhaging spectators with no national interest, so it would be something Dorna would be keen to support.
Let’s not forget though, that the last person to move straight from the lightweight to the premier class (full-time) was fellow Australian Garry McCoy, a three-time 500cc winner, but who suffered numerous injuries that consistently hindered his championship challenges. Crashes are inevitable, it’s whether you bounce like Marquez and Stoner did, or break like McCoy. Although the diminutive Aussie did have to deal with the last throes of the two-strokes.
There is no doubt that Miller is a huge talent, but even the reigning MotoGP World Champion, just two years older than Jack, feels time is still on the Australian’s side. “I think from my experience, that you need to pass through Moto2. I have the experience, and the crashes, in Moto2 before arriving in MotoGP.”
Miller’s response? “I feel I’ve had enough crashes already…!” Whatever the outcome, let’s hope the affable Queenslander doesn’t end up looking like a goon – unless it’s on a cooling down lap of course.
Photo by Martin Heath www.martinheathphoto.com
