Source: Red Bull KTM Ajo.

Australia’s Moto3 World Championship leader Jack Miller could have a direct pathway into MotoGP next season squashed as leading Moto2 team Marc VDS Racing looks to exercise a claimed binding pre-agreement for 2015 and 2016.

With 19-year-old Miller linked to a number of MotoGP satellite teams including the LCR Honda and Tech3 Yamaha outfits, the Aussie charger’s early 2014 form with Red Bull KTM Ajo could see him fast-tracked to the premier class.

But Marc VDS Racing Team has issued a statement today confirming Miller signed a three-year pre-agreement with the team late last year, which according to Marc VDS saw them negotiate his 2014 KTM deal before locking in plans for a transition to Moto2 with Marc VDS in 2015 and 2016.

The catch is that Miller hasn’t actually signed the final contract with Marc VDS, and in a recent interview he said that he is unsigned for 2015 and beyond, prompting Marc VDS to act on those comments.

Today’s statement from Marc VDS clarified the situation: ‘Jack Miller signed a binding three-year contract with the Marc VDS Racing Team for the 2014, 2015 and 2016 seasons. Under the terms of this six-page contract, the Marc VDS Racing Team negotiated on Jack Miller’s behalf to secure him a Moto3 World Championship ride with the Red Bull KTM Ajo Team in 2014.

‘During the course of these negotiations Ajo Motorsport team owner, Aki Ajo, was made aware of the contract between Jack Miller and the Marc VDS Racing Team and also that, under the terms of this contract, Jack Miller would contest the Moto2 World Championship for the Marc VDS Racing Team in 2015 and 2016.

‘The three-year contract was in the form of an extensive pre-agreement, covering the relevant key points such as exclusivity, payment conditions and technical support. Nowhere was there a clause related to early release from the contract should Jack Miller receive an offer for MotoGP in 2015. Following the signing of this pre-agreement a final contract was negotiated and agreed between the parties, with the key elements remaining unchanged.

‘This final agreement was not signed and all requests by the Marc VDS Racing Team for a meeting with Jack Miller, his parents and his management team, to clarify the situation with regard to Jack Miller’s contractual obligations for 2015 and 2016, have gone unanswered. In the absence of a signed final agreement, the signed pre-agreement remains extant and binding on both parties.’

Marc VDS is adamant that the pre-agreement reportedly signed by Miller is binding, and despite suggestion he’s headed to MotoGP in 2015, team principal Michael Bartholemy is fully expecting Miller to line up in Moto2 with his team for the next two seasons.

“It is regrettable that we’ve had to make public this situation, but we really were left with no option,” explained Bartholemy. “We have a contract with Jack Miller and we are already preparing for his arrival in the team for the 2015 season because, for us, a deal is a deal.

“If Jack has changed his mind and doesn’t want to ride for us next year then he or his management team need to come and talk to us, rather than simply ignoring our numerous requests for a meeting to clarify the situation.

“We are not interested in playing games; we just want the situation sorted out expeditiously. Until it is resolved we cannot move forward with our own plans for the 2015 season, as we have no intention on reneging on the agreement by offering Jack Miller’s place in the Marc VDS Racing Team to another rider.”

Miller or Aki Ajo – who is both team manager of the Red Bull KTM Ajo squad and personal manager of Miller – are yet to respond to the statement released by Marc VDS.