Jack Miller has conceded he feels “pissed off” by the cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix, saying lacking out on one ultimate MotoGP race in entrance of his residence crowd was “robust to swallow”.
Low visibility rendered the medical helicopter inoperable at Phillip Island, forcing race management to scrap all observe motion scheduled for Sunday, together with the primary premier class occasion.
The choice introduced a disappointing finish to Phillip Island’s tenure as a MotoGP venue, with the favored 4.4km circuit set to get replaced by a brand new city observe in Adelaide subsequent yr.
However the information additionally got here as a significant blow to Pramac rider Miller, who hoped to make one ultimate look at his residence circuit as a MotoGP rider earlier than switching to the World Superbike Championship subsequent yr.
The Australian thanked followers who had braved the climate to attend the occasion, expressing his disappointment that that they had been denied the possibility to observe their favorite riders race.
“It is just a little completely different to how issues started for WG [Wayne Gardner] again in ’89,” he stated, referring to the primary MotoGP race at Phillip Island practically 4 many years in the past.
“You followers have been wonderful all through all of the years,” he stated on the grid forward of the parade laps. “My little decade right here, you guys have been the very best.
“I can solely converse on behalf of the opposite boys. I am positive they’ve stated it over the weekend, but it surely’s wonderful to have all of the boys down right here this weekend, all these legends and it has been a pleasure racing in entrance of you Phillip Island followers for the final little bit, and thanks for the reminiscences.”
He added: “It has been an absolute pleasure racing in entrance of you guys, you are the very best followers on the earth and sorry we needed to skip one other one, that is pissing me off a lot.”
Jack Miller, Pramac Racing
Picture by: Gold and Goose Images / Getty Photographs
After the race was cancelled, the whole grid took to the observe for 2 parade laps, because the championship bid farewell to certainly one of its hottest venues.
Miller entertained the gang with a protracted wheelie on the beginning/end straight, earlier than parking his Yamaha by the aspect of the observe and throwing his gloves into the air.
“Bloody hell, Phillip Island. You actually know the right way to break a bloke’s coronary heart,” he later wrote on social media. “Fairly gutted to be trustworthy. My final residence MotoGP race and we didn’t even get to race. After such a robust weekend, it’s a troublesome one to swallow.
“However to each single certainly one of you who turned up, braved the site visitors, the rain and the bloody terrible climate to help us, THANK YOU!! You guys have been completely unreal, not simply this weekend however all through my complete MotoGP profession.
“It’s been an absolute privilege racing in entrance of you lot for the final decade. From the underside of my coronary heart, thanks for all of the reminiscences, Phillip Island. I’ll cherish them ceaselessly.
“And to my crew, thanks for making this weekend so particular. Disgrace we didn’t get to place these colors to work however no less than we received greatest dressed at this time.”
Miller was on account of begin his residence grand prix from fourth on the grid, having been the quickest Yamaha rider all through the weekend. The Australian was set to race in a particular yellow-and-green livery that he had designed for his residence occasion.
The 31-year-old will get to contest one other world championship race at Phillip Island in February, when WSBK makes its personal ultimate go to to the observe positioned simply outdoors mainland Melbourne.
We would like your opinion!
What would you prefer to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
– The Motorsport.com Workforce