'We’ll definitely be using' the new fairing 'in the race' - Miller

Jack Miller topped the combined times during today’s practice, but says Franco Morbidelli is the guy to beat ahead of the opening MotoGP race this Sunday. 

The Australian had a rather eventful day as he immediately hit the front in FP1, before suffering a crash at turn 4 shortly after. It was nothing serious though as he went on the claim third place in the end. 

"First of all, I’m good from the crash. Nothing really. Just a combination of the wind and using the M tyre," said Miller. 

"I pushed too hard into turn 4. I already had a moment the run before, probably the last lap. I said to the team, who crashed at turn 4 as It was easy to do. But sure enough I went out and the first flying lap I crashed there. That was nice." 

In the second practice session Miller, team-mate Francesco Bagnaia and Pramac's Johann Zarco all put in impressive runs towards the end of proceedings to make it three Ducati's in the top four. 

With Miller having already topped the pre-season test and now FP2, he is without doubt a favourite for the race come Sunday, but the 26 year-old was quick to point out Morbidelli who was fastest in FP1 as the man to beat. 

"As you see, times are incredibly close. It’s FP2. I was top but Zarco was 4th and not even 2 tenths away from me," said Miller. 

"I’m a little scared of qualifying, and where that’s going to lead us. There are many guys going fast. Right off the bat Frankie was incredibly fast and strong.

"He did the fastest lap this afternoon on the third run and he didn’t change tyres like a lot of them. My plan was to do the same, to be like Frankie. But I had to change tyres when I threw the bike at the gravel. I had no other choice. 

"Frankie at the moment in my books is the guy to beat. But we’ll see what happens. I was in the box when Pecco did his lap time.

"To watch it was impressive. When you see someone getting along with the bike like that it’s always nice to watch."

During the Official test earlier this month, Miller tried the new and old fairings that Ducati had available, which he once again did today. 

And having evaluated them both, the former Moto3 champion believes the newer one is the best option for the race. 

"Ah, I mean, for sure I prefer the new one. I think to put down exactly what the feeling is is difficult to explain," added the Australian.

"I like the other one more. It definitely looks cooler. We’ll definitely be using that one in the race."