Jack Miller: Phillip Island 'Must Stay on MotoGP Calendar'
Jack Miller is resolute in his belief that Phillip Island should remain on the MotoGP calendar. The Australian circuit's contract with the AGPC is set to expire at the end of the next season, and there are rumors that MotoGP might opt for a more accessible mainland venue. However, Miller is passionate about keeping Phillip Island's unique appeal.
The island has a rich history in motorcycle racing, hosting the 500cc class in 1989 when Wayne Gardner achieved a memorable victory on home soil. More recently, Casey Stoner captivated local fans with six consecutive wins from 2007 to 2012. Miller himself has a special connection to the island, having won at Phillip Island as a Moto3 rider in 2014 and securing a premier-class podium finish for Ducati in 2019.
During the October event, Miller, a Pramac Yamaha rider, impressed his home crowd by securing a front-row qualifying position and narrowly missing a Sprint podium in a thrilling last-lap battle with Pedro Acosta. Despite an early crash in the Grand Prix, the day still thrilled Australian fans, with Joel Kelso finishing second in Moto3 and Senna Agius claiming his first Moto2 victory.
Miller expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, 'I think it's a fantastic event. I think it needs to be on the calendar, absolutely. You look at the crowd out there. It's such an isolated country. It's such a vast country. People have come from great distances to watch the race, some even from Western Australia, which is like traveling from the top to the bottom of Europe. They travel far and wide and spend a lot of their money to attend. Having a race in Australia means a lot to them, and I believe Phillip Island is one of the most spectacular circuits on the calendar, as evidenced by the racing in all categories.'
This year's Australian MotoGP attracted 91,245 weekend fans and a Sunday crowd of 37,192. The weather played a role, with warnings suggesting the main GP race might be moved to Saturday for the second time in three years, though it proceeded as planned. The only venue with a smaller Sunday crowd this season was Qatar (22,565), while other circuits like Balaton Park (32,520), Silverstone (40,518), COTA (45,927), Motegi (46,303), and Austria (49,901) also had sub-50,000 Sunday attendances.
Miller's passion for Phillip Island's inclusion in the MotoGP calendar is clear, and his words emphasize the circuit's unique appeal and the importance of maintaining its presence in the sport.
