Ahead of his home race at Philip Island, its final race for now on the MotoGP calendar, Jack Miller waves goodbye to his home fans in the MotoGP world. Yet, this is not the last time that we will see him racing on two wheels as he is set to join Pata Maxus Yamaha in the World Superbike Championship. This is set to be a two-year contract, joining the likes of other former MotoGP riders including Miguel Oliveira, Remy Gardner and Somkiat Chantra to name a few.
Miller has certainly made himself a character in motorcycle racing, from taxi driving on track to belly sliding off it. His 15-year career has made him popular with fans across the world and continued to bring popularity to the sport.
But as he leaves at the end of the 2026 season, it’s important to look back on his extensive career.
Where it All Started…
Born in Queensland, Australia in 1995, Miller first made his Moto3 debut all the way back in 2012 with Carretta Technology Forward Racing. Although not with the best standings finish in 23rd, he moved to Racing Team Germany, improving with 13 points finishes. One of these being fifth at his home race. 2014 came with him moving once again to a different team. Red Bull KTM Ajo picked him up where he achieved his first podium finish and victory. This led to six total victories and runner-up to Álex Márquez in the championship.
Instead of moving to Moto2, Miller climbed to the top step of MotoGP and debuted with the LCR team. He joined British rider, Cal Crutchlow. It was an average season for the Australian, finishing 19th in the standings whilst his teammate sat in eighth.
A Change in Results
For two years, he would join Estrella Galicia 0.0 Marc VDS alongside Esteve “Tito” Rabat who he beat across both seasons. But the Dutch Grand Prix on the 26th of June 2016 is when his presence became serious. After a restart due to heavy rain where his was in the top ten, Andrea Dovizioso and Valentino Rossi crashed out whilst the Aussie overtook Marc Márquez to claim his first victory.
This was the first time an Australian had won since Casey Stoner back in 2012. But most notably, the first satellite rider to win since 2006. He finished 18th in the standings and 11th the following year.
2018 was a crucial year as Miller joined Pramac Racing on a Ducati. This year was even more memorable as “Miller Taxis” was dubbed in Free Practice 3 at the Australian Grand Prix. This is when Álex Rins climbed aboard the back of his bike after stopping at the side of the track. He rode with Danilo Petrucci for a single year before being joined by current Ducati record-breaker, Pecco Bagnaia.
Even in his fourth season, he continued to improve by landing himself an 11th place finish in the standings. This followed an eighth place finish and a seventh place finish in 2020. Although there was a reduced calendar due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he finished top ten in every race he finished amongst DNF’s including in Andalusia, Emilio Romagna, Le Mans and Teruel.
The Big Call
With all of the battles he’d encountered and injuries he’d faced over the years, it all became worth it. Miller got the call to join the Ducati Lenovo Team in 2021 with Bagnaia. Being in a factory team for the first time, the Grand Prix at Jerez would allow him to taste victory once again after five years and the teams first win of the season. It wouldn’t be long before he experienced this again at Le Mans, notably overcoming two long-lap penalties to take the top prize.
Few would say his competitiveness was getting the better of him as he experienced a few tussles with reigning champion, Joan Mir. But he ultimately lost out to him, finishing 27 points behind the Spaniard in fourth.
2022 was not a season for Miller to be disappointed of, but it would be his last with Ducati. He landed fifth in the championship, winning in Japan and achieving six podiums. This was also the same year that Turn 4 of Phillip Island was renamed “Miller Corner”. However there was even more waiting in the following season.
A New Adventure
Miller would sign a contract with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, teaming up with South Africa’s Brad Binder. But this would not be as successful as the dominant form that the Ducati teams were now showing. His best result came in Jerez with a third place finish in the Sprint and Feature Race, landing 11th in the championship. 2024 was an even uncertain year as he struggled with consistency. He finished 14th and was replaced by Pedro Acosta for the following season.
For 2025, Miller returned to Prima Pramac, now with a Yamaha manufacturer, with Miguel Oliviera. But once again, may not have been a great match as the team had switched from a Ducati spec bike. His best result came in Austin with a fifth place finish, followed by multiple DNF’s. As Miguel Oliveira left for WorldSBK, Toprak Razgatlıoğlu switched in his place from the series in 2026.
What Now?
So far this season, Miller has achieved points in eight out of 17 race weekends. His best being at Balaton Park where he came eighth. It took him until the fifth round in Le Mans to score points after a difficult start to the season. Many believed it would be his last. At the end of August, before the Aragon GP, it was confirmed by Yamaha that this was his final season. After more successful points streaks in the Netherlands, Germany and Great Britain, he would go on to take five more points into the championship during this weekend.
Whilst waiting out the two week break to the San Marino Grand Prix, WorldSBK team Pata Maxus Yahama confirmed his movement to the motorcycle series. He will race alongside Italian Andrea Locatelli who already has some experience in the box. Since then, the Aussie has voiced his excitement to join a different paddock for the next step in his career.
A Fond Farewell
It will be a sad time to see Miller away from the MotoGP world, especially when he had made such a presence in the sport and brought fans in from all over. His character and charisma will be something to be enjoyed in WorldSBK as many motorcycle enthusiasts have experienced here.
The Australian Grand Prix will be a special weekend as he waves goodbye to home fans and says hello to more. He won’t wait long to be back. This is the first race weekend from the 19th to the 21st of February in WorldSBK. And lucky for Miller, this will continue to stay at Phillip Island rather than moving to the new Adelaide circuit planned for MotoGP from next year and beyond.
Although Miller currently sits at 19th in the championship, all MotoGP fans can hope that he can take away some points for his last home race in the series and continues a healthy streak into the end of the season in Valencia. But for now, let’s enjoy the last that MotoGP fans will see of “Thriller Miller”.
MotoGP continues this weekend for the Australian Grand Prix, with Free Practice 1 and Practice being held on Friday the 23rd October. Free Practice 2, Qualifying and the Sprint Race all feature on Saturday and the Grand Prix takes place on Sunday.
Feature image courtesy of Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP