Miller goes back-to-back in French thriller

When Jack Miller crossed the line to win the rain-affected French Grand Prix, he became the first Aussie to win back-to-back premier-class races since Casey Stoner in 2012.

The Lenovo Ducati rider took the holeshot from a dry race start on slick tyres, with Monster Yamaha teammates Fabio Quartararo and Maverick Vinales in hot pursuit, along with a fast-starting Alex Rins (Suzuki Ecstar) and a menacing-looking Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) also in the mix. And when the white flag signaling riders could switch to wet tyres was thrown just four laps into the 27-lap race, it was Marquez who was first out of pit lane and in control of the race.

It wasn’t to be for the eight-time world champ, though, he crashed out of the lead at the half-way point, joining some other big names in Franco Morbidelli and Suzuki Ecstar teammates Joan Mir and Rins, who’d already fallen victim to the conditions. Marquez and Rins managed to remount, however for little gain as they both suffered second crashes before the chequered flag.

Miller and his teammate were both handed a double long-lap penalty for speeding in pit lane, but a healthy buffer back to third place meant Miller could take them without losing second position and focus on chasing Quartararo. He took the lead from the Frenchman on lap 12, and was helped by Quartararo also being served a long-lap penalty for pulling up in front of his teammate’s garage when he swapped bikes.

Johann Zarco (Pramac Ducati), who was fast all weekend, found himself in fourth after the bike swap and passed LCR Honda’s Taka Nakagami for third at the start of lap 15. With Miller and Quartararo opting for soft wet tyres, Zarco’s medium choice paid dividends on a fast-drying track and he took his countryman for second place with six to go.

Miller, who afterwards said he felt really comfortable in the tricky conditions, controlled the gap on what was now a fully dry track and went on to take his second win on the trot ahead of the two Frenchman at their home grand prix.

Miller’s teammate Pecco Bagnaia achieved what’s becoming a trademark charge through the pack to finish fourth ahead of Tech3 KTM’s Danilo Petrucci, who scored his best finish of 2021. Alex Marquez beat his LCR Honda teammate Nakagami to the line, Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda) was eighth, Iker Lecuona (Tech3 KTM) snatched ninth from Vinales over the line, while Valentino Rossi (SRT Petronas Yamaha) finished 11th. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM) was a late faller while both factory Aprilia’s of Aleix Espargaro and Lorenzo Savadori suffered mechanical DNFs.

The win moves Miller up two places in the standings to fourth overall, just 16 points down on Quartararo who regains the lead by just a single point from Bagnaia. Zarco is in the third overall just 12 points from the top. Vinales is in fifth, 24 points from his teammate.

Remy Gardner’s (Red Bull KTM) second-place finish set the scene for the Aussie celebrations with his championship rival Sam Lowes (Marc VDS) crashing out in the early stages of the race allowing the Aussie to hold a slim one-point advantage in the standings.

Starting from seventh on the grid, the Aussie was caught up in some first lap drama which dropped him down to 10th in the early stages. And while the Aussie said he believed he could reel in the win in the final stages of the race, he’d burned up too much rear tyre to push and opted to bank the 20 points. “They’re good points, it feels good and it’s another podium so I can’t complain,” the Aussie said.

The win went to his rookie teammate Raul Fernandez who rode a clever race from pole position to claim the 25 points, and the Spaniard moves into second place in the standings behind Gardner on 88 points to Gardner’s 89.

Second in the race looked to be Marco Bezzechi’s (Sky Racing Team VR46) but a late mistake let Gardner through to take advantage of the extra points. Bezzechi crossed the line in third and, now with 72 points, it moves him ahead of Lowes (66) in the standings into third overall.

Sergio Garcia gave his GasGas-branded Gaviota Aspar squad its first victory in the Moto3 category when he rode a strong race in the mixed conditions to cross the line well over two seconds clear of Filip Salac (Rivacold Snipers Team), and 5.5 seconds clear of Riccardo Rossi (BOE Owlride) who celebrated his first-ever podium in Le Mans.

Rookie sensation Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) managed to extend his championship lead despite starting from 25th on the grid and suffering a crash during the race. The 16-year-old Spaniard remounted and raced through to eighth overall for eight points.

Acosta’s 103 points tally is 54 ahead of new second place holder Garcia’s 49. Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers) is third on 47, one point ahead of Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) and three points ahead of Avintia Esponsorama rider Nicole Antonelli’s 44.

The series now moves to Italy for the sixth round of the championship, which is set to play out in Mugello over 28-30 May.