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‘When it rains, it pours’ Miller on Jerez

By Thomas Miles

Jack Miller labelled a crash-filled Spanish Motorcycle Grand Prix as “disappointing” while he finished last night’s Jerez test 17th.

After disappointing trip to Texas, Miller hoped a return to happy hunting ground in Jerez would turn his 2024 campaign around.

But a chain issue hurt him in qualifying before a first-lap crash ruined his Sprint.

Things looked to finally turn in the Grand Prix when the #43 enjoyed a rapid start to cement a top 10 position.

But just when it appeared Miller was about to drop out of the 10, he was taken out by Franco Morbidelli at Turn 5.

A post Jerez Test took place last night topped by Fabio Di Giannantonio, but Miller emerged 17th and reported KTM could not find a solution for chatter and vibration issues.

Reflecting on the Spanish Grand Prix where Miller had previously scored more points throughout his career than any other event, the Aussie was disappointed.

“Unfortunately, the Spanish GP didn’t go as planned in what was another rollercoaster ride for us,” Miller wrote on his website.

“We thought we could achieve some strong results here after last year’s performance and it’s always good to go to a place where you have a solid base setting to work from.

“We struggled a little bit in the practice sessions for comfort and also timing. 

“For the Sprint Race, the track was tricky and we had some unfortunate issues that I was really battling out there, which ultimately resulted in dropping it and tumbling down the order.

“Unfortunately though, that luck would follow us into the Feature Race, where we were running solidly until I wore a bike to the side at turn 5 which sent us flying into the gravel and out of the race. 

“Until then, I’d broken away from the pack behind me and was pushing to catch the boys in front, but ultimately it wasn’t to be.

“When it rains, it pours sometimes – so they say, and we’re battling hard as a team right now to turn a bit of that luck around, which I’m confident we’ll do, and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

With Jerez now done, the French Grand Prix at Le Mans is on the horizon on May 10-12.

Image: Gold and Goose

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