IN
THE
WIND
P36
Jack Miller Secures
Factory Ducati
MotoGP Ride
J
ack Miller will be a full fac-
tory Ducati MotoGP rider in
2021. The Australian has signed
a one-year deal with the option of
an extension in 2022, although it
is uncertain who he will partner
with on the team.
Odds are he will be replac-
ing his former Pramac Ducati
teammate Danilo Petrucci, who
moved up to the factory Ducati
team in 2019, securing a
memorable win in the Italian
MotoGP. However, Petrucci's
inconsistent second half of
the season is likely to see
him being shown the door for
2021.
Veteran Andrea Dovizioso will
likely stay within the team for
2021, although contract negotia-
tions have stalled somewhat over
financial concerns.
"First of all, I want to thank
warmly Paolo Campinoti, Fran-
cesco Guidotti and all the
Pramac Racing Team for the
great support I have received
from them in the two and a half
years spent together," Miller
said. "It is an honor for me to
be able to continue my MotoGP
career with the Borgo Panigale
manufacturer and I would like
to thank all the Ducati manage-
ment, Claudio (Domenicali),
Gigi (Dall'Igna), Paolo (Ciabatti)
and Davide (Tardozzi), for hav-
ing trusted me and given me this
incredible opportunity. I look
forward to starting riding again
this year, and I am ready to fully
commit to the responsibility of
being an official Ducati rider in
2021."
Miller will become the third
Australian to ride for the factory
Ducati team, following in the
footsteps of Troy Bayliss (2003-
2005) and two-time MotoGP
World Champion Casey Stoner
(2007-2010).
"Since he arrived in the
Pramac Racing Team, Jack has
grown steadily, proving himself
one of the fastest and most
talented riders in the champion-
ship," said Ducati CEO Claudio
Domenicali. "So, we are happy
that he has agreed to ride the of-
ficial Desmosedici GP bike of the
Ducati Team next year. We are
convinced that Jack has all the
right skills to fight continuously
for the positions that matter, in
every race, starting already this
season with the Desmosedici
GP20 of the Pramac Racing
Team, and taking a further step
forward next year thanks to the
support of the Ducati Team." CN
Jack Miller's
promotion makes
him the third
Australian rider to
get a factory Ducati
seat behind Troy
Bayliss and Casey
Stoner.
