Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Ducati) has enjoyed a great start to his 2018 campaign, with the Australian putting himself right in contention for a factory Ducati ride in 2019, if five-time World Champion Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) doesn’t renew his contract with the Bologna factory.

Rumours circulating in the industry say Miller will be riding a GP19 next year regardless of whether he stays with Pramac or indeed gets promoted to the official Ducati set up. “The decision I guess is entirely up to Ducati,” said the Australian, talking about his chances on getting the factory ride. “For me, I’m content. Of course, like I’ve said all along, I’d love to be in that spot. But either way I’m going to be on the same bike next year (GP19), with or without the (Factory team) contract.”

With Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) penning a new two-year contract with Ducati in Le Mans, and Lorenzo’s future still very much uncertain, the fight for the remaining seat seems to be between Miller and current teammate Danilo Petrucci. The Italian scored a timely career best result of second in the dry conditions at the French GP, with Ducati Corse General Manager Gigi Dall’Igna telling Sky Sport Italia, “if Petrucci continues like this, he deserves an official Ducati.”

Miller though, who is currently racing a GP17, sits just five points behind Petrucci in the Championship, and reckons his fourth place at Le Mans was his best dry result ever. “This is by far my best dry result ever. To fight with those guys, and just to have visual of Marc the whole race does so much for your confidence and your self-belief.”

By MotoGP