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Miller loses to man who could take his job

3 minute read

Jack Miller enjoyed his best day of this year's MotoGP Championship, finishing runner-up at Le Mans - but he knows his conqueror could end up taking his job.

JACK MILLER.
JACK MILLER. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

French Grand Prix runner-up Jack Miller has enjoyed his best day of the MotoGP season at Le Mans - but he knows his conqueror still might just end up taking his job.

Miller produced a fine ride on his Ducati to earn his second podium spot of the year on Sunday but all the talk was of the Italian winner Enea Bastianini, who rocketed past the Australian for his third victory of the season.

There has been much speculation within the MotoGP world about Miller's position being at jeopardy on the celebrated Italian factory team because of the dazzling progress of Bastianini, who rides a Ducati for the independent Gresini Racing team.

Ducati's decision on which rider will get their second factory seat for 2023, with one already having been confirmed for Francesco Bagnaia, is likely to be made around the time of their home race at Mugello, the next on the calendar in a fortnight.

When Miller was asked about it in the post-race conference, he shrugged: "I don't know what you want me to say.

"I mean, put two and two together, he's (Bastianini) won three races this year and he's doing a fantastic job, he's Italian, so it makes perfect sense."

The 24-year-old Bastianini gave the diplomatic answer, saying he was happy where he was "because I'm riding this bike very well and I think it's the best option for me now ... but I don't know at the moment where my future is."

Miller has rocketed up the championship standings from 11th to fifth on 62 points with his Le Mans result.

But Bastianini, who once again showed late race pace which left the factory riders in the shade, is now third on 94, just eight points behind leader Fabio Quartararo (102) and four adrift of Aleix Espargaro (98).

Miller had a flying start from second on the grid and was leading for four laps before Bagnaia took over but Bastianini got past them both.

Bagnaia, who'd set a new lap record in qualifying, made a rookie mistake under the pressure of trying to regain the lead and slid out, leaving his teammate Miller to finish second.

Bagnaia reckoned he'd been left "angry" at his error, which leaves him seventh in the championship, even lagging behind Miller.

But the Queenslander Miller had nothing but praise for the quality of the winner.

"This little bastard has done it more than twice!" smiled Miller.

"He's done it plenty of times. He's always strong at the end of the race, he's got a good drive, he's good on the tyres and he worked it well today. He made a perfect race I think."

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