Aussie Jack Miller is looking for a job now that Pedro Acosta has signed an extension with KTM which will see the Spaniard move up to the factory team in 2025 and 2026 after a string of brilliant early-season performances.
“There’s no reason not to be happy about coming in a factory team,” Acosta said in Mugello. “It’s true that now I have a factory bike, I have factory guys, I have factory crew. It’s true that there’s no reason to go away from this team, but there’s also no reason to not go up to the factory team for this. Super happy to take this decision, and after to have the decision one year ago that KTM was going to be my brand to jump to MotoGP with.”
Of course, Acosta’s promotion means Jack Miller will be vacating his spot in the KTM factory squad.
“I’m a job seeker at the moment,” he joked in Italy. “So let me know if you have any positions, I might come to your job shortly!”
Yet the Australian was understanding of KTM’s decision. “He’s doing a fantastic job as he has done all year. He’s an amazing rookie. And as we all know, one of those generational talents. So for them to do that is the logical step.”
Pedro Acosta has taken Jack Miller’s spot in the factory KTM squad for 2025
On his own prospects for 2025, Miller didn’t appear overly stressed. Rumours swirled in Italy that he is of potential interest to HRC to replace Joan Mir, who could yet move to Trackhouse Aprilia. And he also said he’d be more than happy to take Acosta’s place in Tech3 for next year. “We’ll have a spot,” he said. “I’m not too stressed.
“I firmly believe Tech3 isn’t a satellite team anymore. It’s basically a factory bike that’s red. And we know that. Like I said, I didn’t sign up to this job to see it out after two years and not reap the benefits.
“These projects take time and I think that’s what we’re doing at the moment and that’s why you have these highs and lows as you’re building something good. And that’s the way it goes. And as I said, my focus has never gone away from that. My understanding of the bike and trying to improve the bike has never gone away from that. And my work outside of the track has never faded. I’m working harder now than I ever f***ing have.
“I love the guys at KTM, I think they’ve done a fantastic job in such a short amount of time. I didn’t see this coming around full circle just to piss off at the first sight, for sure. We’ll wait and see. Obviously I think we’ve got four fantastic riders and if they need to reshuffle and they reshuffle and keep going, keep hold [of] them.”
WORDS: NEIL MORRISON PHOTOS: GOLD&GOOSE