Since he first joined the World Championship midway through the 2011 season, Jack Miller (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS) has been known for his ability in the wet. When the heavens opened before the MotoGP™ World Championship race in Assen, Miller knew he was in with a chance of a strong result. The race went from wet to dry to wet again, torrential rain hitting the TT Circuit Assen with 12 laps to go and bringing out the red flag. The grid formed for the restart, Miller lining up in eighth position thanks to his efforts in the first stage. Once more he shot forward, soon finding himself behind Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) and in a battle for the lead after a number of falls ahead.

Fans around the world were pulled to the edge of their seats as the colourful Australian slipped past Marquez at the end of lap three. With nothing to lose, Miller pushed to open up a gap which he maintained till the end. The rain on track couldn’t stop Miller from hoisting his front wheel into the air as he celebrated a sensational first victory in the premier class. An emotional victory speech followed, the Australian fighting back the tears, thanking Honda and Marc VDS for their support after a tough start to the year.

For the first time since Stoner’s last win at Phillip Island in 2012, the Australian national anthem played after a MotoGP™ race. Miller not only returned Australia to the top step of the podium but also became the first satellite rider to win a race since Toni Elias in Portgual in 2006. His victory was capped off with a ‘shoey’ on the podium, the Australia tradition of celebrating by drinking from one’s own shoe.

MOTUL TT ASSEN

MotoGP Race Classification 2016

Credits : Photos and content courtesy of MotoGP.com