Jack Miller’s move from Ducati to KTM for the 2023 MotoGP season is causing joy among his long-time mate Cal Crutchlow, but also understanding for Ducati
The definite move of Jack Miller from the Ducati factory team to the KTM factory team is the most high-profile rider change to date in anticipation of the 2023 MotoGP season.
Yamaha test rider Cal Crutchlow, who has had a close friendship with Miller for many years, is pleased to note the Australian’s switch of brands. At the same time, however, Crutchlow also expresses understanding for the decision of Ducati and thus of the manufacturer for whom the Briton himself once contested a complete MotoGP season.
“I think it’s the perfect change for Jack,” says Crutchlow in the latest episode of the official MotoGP podcast “Last on the Brakes” and judges Miller: “He hasn’t reached the peak of his career yet. Rather, he’s about to peak. “
“I think the move to KTM is a great thing for him. I think he’s going to have a good couple of years there on the way to his peak,” says Crutchlow, looking ahead, “I think he’s going to perform really well from the start. I wonder if he’ll be able to turn this bike into one that you can win on week in, week out. I’ll put it this way, Jack will give it his all. “
“I speak to Jack almost every week,” said Crutchlow. “He’s a great rider, a great talent and a great person. He really deserves to be back with a factory team. After all, he has been a Ducati rider for many years, first in the Pramac team and now in the factory team. But of course there are young riders moving up all the time.”
As happy as Crutchlow is for Miller, he can understand the Ducati bosses’ decision not to renew the Australian’s contract after a total of five years. “I don’t want to call Jorge Martin, [Enea] Bastianini, [Fabio] Di Giannantonio, [Marco] Bezzecchi or whoever kids now, but they are younger than him,” Crutchlow pointed out of the Ducati stars coming up, who in the case of Martin and Bastianini are already MotoGP race winners.
Crutchlow and Miller were teammates at LCR-Honda during the 2015 MotoGP season. For the Briton it was his first year after his Ducati year in 2014, and for the Australian it was his rookie season in the premier class. And in this season he learned a lot, not least from Crutchlow.
In the last six races of the current 2022 MotoGP season, the two buddies will once again meet directly on the track. Because Crutchlow is the one who will replace Andrea Dovizioso after the latter’s announced early departure from RNF-Yamaha.
