Miller plays up, and plays down chances

Australian Marc VDS rider Jack Miller provided a bit of entertainment at an otherwise anti-climatic press conference in the lead up to the 2016 Michelin Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island. The Queenslander arrived at the press conference early and as he stepped behind the lectern to place his helmet on the shelf, pulled a rubber snake out of his pocket and hid it on his good mate Cal Crutchlow’s (LCR Honda) chair.

While the prank fell flat and ended with Crutchlow tossing the snake across the room towards Miller, when pushed on his home turf chances following his maiden GP win in Assen earlier this year, the Honda rider played it straight.

“A lot of people don’t focus on all of the races, they just hear that you’ve won one and you’re going to come here and fight for the victory, which isn’t the position we’re in at the moment,” Miller conceded.

“It looks like it’s going to be tricky conditions – wet, cold, windy – which isn’t really the best conditions, especially for us, just the wet conditions would be hard enough, but then throw the cold and the wind in around here, doesn’t seem like much fun.

“Hopefully the weather gods shine down on us and give us some decent weather. Not just us but for the fans as well. You don’t want fans sitting out in the cold shivering their arse off, that’s for sure,” he said.

But that’s where the formal praise for the Australian fans ended. When pushed on the pressure he feels in front of what’s shaping up to be a sell-out crowd, the Australian grinned and said: “They’re just a bunch of drunken Aussies – they’ll enjoy it with or without me!”

Miller went on to say he feels fit and is looking forward to the fast and flowing nature of Phillip Island, saying the circuit will suit his recovering body and his riding style.

Cal Crutchlow used the press conference to make his opinion known that he felt Miller should have been HRC’s first choice as Dani Pedrosa’s replacement at the Australian circuit, dismissing suggestions he might be disappointed for not himself getting the call-up.

Dani Pedrosa will be replaced by 2006 MotoGP world champion Nicky Hayden for the Michelin Australian Grand Prix, an experience he described as emotional.

“[Phillip Island’s] always been one of my favourite tracks, I’ve had a couple of pole positions and and couple of podiums,” Hayden said of his last-minute call up. “And when I walked into the box this morning and seen my number on the bike, it was really emotional for me. The team and I have a great history, Honda’s been so loyal to me.

“It’s all very well going to sit on the bike and to take some pictures, but ultimately I got to do a good job. Tomorrow I got to get my head down and open the throttle."