Miller: 'I'll never forget' MotoGP wins with Ducati, 'real honour' says Bagnaia
Currently Ducati’s longest-serving MotoGP rider, Miller first joined the Italian marque in 2018 when he signed for Pramac.
After three years in the satellite team, albeit most of that time was spent on full factory machinery, Miller was then promoted to the factory team in 2021.
Since replacing Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci, together with current team-mate Francesco Bagnaia, Miller has claimed two wins which he claims ‘I’ll never forget’.
Speaking about his time at Ducati, Miller said: "It's been a really important five years for me: together with Ducati, I've achieved several podiums, including two wins that I'll never forget.
“In addition to the two Constructors' World Titles and the Team Title, last year, I finished fourth in the Championship, and that was my best result ever in MotoGP.
“Together with the Pramac Racing Team and the Ducati Lenovo Team, I have grown a lot as a rider and year after year, I have always felt like the best version of myself.
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“Next year I will take on a new challenge, but right now, I want to think only about finishing this last season with my team in the best possible way. I thank all of Ducati Corse, my team, Gigi [Dall’Igna], Paolo [Ciabatti], Davide [Tardozzi], and the people who have worked with me over these five seasons.”
Sharing the box with Miller ‘a real honour’ says Bagnaia
Forming one of the best MotoGP line-ups over the last few seasons, Bagnaia and Miller have and remain a big reason as to why Ducati are performing the way they are - have won the most races in 2022 as a manufacturer, as well as the most wins since the beginning of 2021.
Since joining MotoGP in 2019, Bagnaia has only had Miller as a team-mate; the Italian believes it’s a necessity for his new team-mate - likely to be Enea Bastianini or Jorge Martin, to be like Miller regarding the way both riders work together.
After already shedding high praise for Miller during the Catalan MotoGP weekend, Bagnaia continued to do so during a social media post.
"It is a real honour for me to share the box with you [Miller] these four years. You are one of the coolest people in the paddock, and one of the most talented and fastest riders,” Bagnaia stated on his Instagram account.
"We still have many battles ahead of us on the track my friend. Good luck for this new adventure, I am sure you will get a lot of satisfaction! Thank you Thriller."
What now for Ducati as they look to complete their 2023 factory MotoGP line-up?
With the announcement that Miller has joined KTM, a decision on who will partner Bagnaia should come relatively quickly.
Initially, Mugello was expected to be the deadline for such an announcement, but with a decision on whether it will be Bastianini or Martin yet to be made, Ducati are keeping their cards close to their chest.
Bastianini remains the favourite given the season he’s put together, however, Martin’s recent podium in Barcelona has potentially given the Spaniard the lifeline he needed.
