I'd be really happy with that. I want to see Lorenzo back to being competitive and I think Suzuki would be nuts to not sign him. Miller on a factory Ducati would be good for most parties IMO. I think Jack is not only better than Petrucci but more consistent as well.
IMO but Ducati suits Miller ............... not saying he is a world beater but he is no chump either.
Have been very impressed this year with the way he has gone about things - steady but gentle improvements through practice and consistent race finishes.
Joined Apr 2015
6K Posts | 5K+
NJ
Miller is overrated IMO.
The talk about him is endless, yes he has the win in the rain at Assen, and the pole in Argentina where he took a massive gamble to get that pole. He couldn't convert into a win. Doesn't mean he isn't talented but he has no business on the factory Ducati. Petrucci whom I dislike for various reasons is a far better fit on that bike.
The talk about him is endless, yes he has the win in the rain at Assen, and the pole in Argentina where he took a massive gamble to get that pole. He couldn't convert into a win. Doesn't mean he isn't talented but he has no business on the factory Ducati. Petrucci whom I dislike for various reasons is a far better fit on that bike.
He may well be over-rated, but not in comparison with Petrucci imo, although I imagine Ducati will be in the best position to know what advantage a GP18 has over a GP17. I think getting Iannone back despite the previous history would be most likely to actually give them a second race winning rider.
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Joined Jun 2007
10K Posts | 1K+
Norah Head
Joined Mar 2015
2K Posts | 337+
Chertsey, Surrey, UK
Personally I'd like to see the back of the whinging spaniard and the 2nd rider on the Duc would be Petrux.
Joined Jun 2007
10K Posts | 1K+
Norah Head
I think Ducati have an unwritten policy of having at least one non italian rider where possible. Sure makes good marketting sense.
If they chose Miller I'd probably buy 10 in his first year.
Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
Wouldn't surprise me if he did better with a higher level of support to boost his confidence.
THIS.
I’m shocked to see how much praise Miller has been getting on here, I must be missing something.
3 factory Hondas
3 factory Ducatis
2 factory Yamahas
2 factory Suzukis
Consistent top 10 results on a year old satellite bike is doing very well.
3 factory Ducatis
2 factory Yamahas
2 factory Suzukis
Consistent top 10 results on a year old satellite bike is doing very well.
Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
I understand that nationalist sentiment when it comes to stuff like this. The Brits are still pumped up about the back markers who've done nothing in years. It's just normal tribalism. When Spies was regularly taking a beating, I was always pumped when he showed any signs of doing well. It's normal. What I don't understand is why non-Aussies have such a high opinion of him. I think it's easier for Americans to be all comme ci come ça about it. We've had such a long string of champions that we can afford to be generous about letting lesser countries win a few.
Just remembering an old thread from years ago (when I'd never before followed WSBK) where a member was blathering on about the superiority of the European racing DNA and how dare I, an American, be so bold as to think a Yank could really do well in WSBK. A few months later, Spies showed up and I never heard from that guy again. Gone with the wind.
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I understand that nationalist sentiment when it comes to stuff like this. The Brits are still pumped up about the back markers who've done nothing in years. It's just normal tribalism. When Spies was regularly taking a beating, I was always pumped when he showed any signs of doing well. It's normal. What I don't understand is why non-Aussies have such a high opinion of him. I think it's easier for Americans to be all comme ci come ça about it. We've had such a long string of champions that we can afford to be generous about letting lesser countries win a few.
Just remembering an old thread from years ago (when I'd never before followed WSBK) where a member was blathering on about the superiority of the European racing DNA and how dare I, an American, be so bold as to think a Yank could really do well in WSBK. A few months later, Spies showed up and I never heard from that guy again. Gone with the wind.
Yeah there's a lot of different things you need to consider when changing championships. It's like all the international riders who have raced WSBK and MotoGP who have a crack at BSB, they end up getting their arses kicked most of the time, bit like Neil Hodgson going to AMA, I don't think he did anything did he?
Different tracks, different weather, different opposition, different ways of working all add up to what you're going to achieve, I can't imagine too many south europeans enjoing a cold, rain and wind lashed weekend at Knockhill for example.
Joined Apr 2015
6K Posts | 5K+
NJ
I hold Doohan and Stoner in the highest regard.
Miller is neither of the two nor has he shown any flash of brilliance that would make you go, "Aha, this kid could be the next great Australian rider." He's not it. Doesn't mean he can't be a good rider, but you can clearly see he has a ceiling that is being hit and his success has been luck based with regards to the Assen win and the Argentina pole that he couldn't convert into a podium finish. Marquez chose to settle for second in Assen rather than risk chasing him down for a win.
He might be amusing to listen to and does get points for calling Hodgson a ...... on camera, but we would have seen the brilliance by now if he was going to be the next great Australian. By his third season Mick Doohan had multiple wins and only got stronger from there before his crash. But once he was fully recovered by 1994, he absolutely demolished the 500cc World Championship till 1999.
Stoner's resume speaks for itself. As soon as he got off the LCR, the wins started racking up in spite of riding the most difficult 4 stroke bikes ever built.
Just say Miller gets promoted to the factory Ducati team if Lorenzo leaves. He is going to have his hands full with Dovi and he isn't going to win that battle. Not a fan of Petrucci as already mentioned, but he is a better fit for that seat than Miller is.
