Australian home hero Jack Miller has crashed in first practice at MotoGP’s Phillip Island farewell moments after setting the fastest lap.
The 31-year-old, who is swapping MotoGP for Superbikes at the end of the season , went to the top of the leaderboard on new tyres with just under four minutes remaining.
But he lost control of his Yamaha into the first corner while TV pictures were showing his crew chief Giacomo Guidotti.
Miller rolled heavily but was able to return to his feet, giving a thumbs-up to medical staff before being given a ride back to the garage.
“Washing machine crash for Miller. Talk about highs and lows, the highs and lows for Jack Miller,” Matt Birt said in commentary.
“He had just set the fastest time of the morning so far and then out wide. Was he caught there by a gust of wind? Because he was really wide trying to stay committed.
“Tried to save it, no coming back. That’s a fast old get-off — a bumpy ride. That would’ve rattled his cage a little bit.”
Replays showed Miller left the bike travelling at least 160km/h.
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Miller’s time ended up third-best for the session behind championship contender Marc Marquez and Raul Fernandez.
Fernandez, riding with injured fingers, had crashed earlier in practice but appeared untroubled afterwards.
Miller won at Phillip Island in Moto3 but has had a wretched run on home soil in recent years and stood on the MotoGP podium in 2019.
He would dearly love to get back there on an emotional weekend for the Australian motorcycle community — and though he has shown early pace on new tyres, forecast wet weather could also play into his hands.
A second practice session will take place later on Friday afternoon before riders face a new challenge.
Conditions will change wildly on Saturday with showers and up to 20mm of rain set to affect the sprint race.
Up to 15-30mm is forecast to fall on Sunday for the Island’s last grand prix before MotoGP moves to Adelaide next year.
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Senna Agius, who won last year’s Moto2 race at Phillip Island, will step up to MotoGP next year to replace Miller as the lone Australian on the grid.
“It’s sad to see him go,” Agius told Fox Sports.
“I would love to be on the grid for him. He’s one of my great mates, I would’ve liked nothing more than for us to be together but it’s not for me.”
Miller said Agius will thrive on the bigger bikes.
“(Australian) MotoGP is in safe hands with Senna,” he said.