News 18 Sep 2014

LCR Honda makes Miller's move to MotoGP official

Australian part of Honda's long-term premier class plans.

Source: Ajo Motorsport.

Source: Ajo Motorsport.

Australian teenager Jack Miller will step up to the MotoGP World Championship in 2015, the CWM LCR Honda team has confirmed in an announcement this morning.

Miller, 19, will ride Honda’s ‘production’ RC213V-RS in the Open ranks alongside Briton Cal Crutchlow, who will compete aboard a factory specification RC213V.

“I’m very happy to make the leap up to MotoGP next year, especially because I will do so alongside HRC,” Miller said. “It’s a dream come true. I think that every rider would like to race at the highest level in the world championship with a Honda.

“It is certainly a big jump from Moto3 to MotoGP, but I am convinced that we are ready and that, step-by-step, learning every day, we can do a great job. It’s a fantastic opportunity and I’m very excited about starting this new stage of my career with HRC, whom I wish to thank together with CWM LCR Honda Team.

“I’m looking forward to working with them! In the meantime, I remain fully focused on this season’s Moto3 World Championship. I will have to avoid any distraction in order to fight for the title.”

This is the first time since their debut in the MotoGP class in 2006, that Lucio Cecchinello’s squad will field two riders, and this is largely thanks to new sponsor CWMFX.com. It’s the very team that Casey Stoner made his premier class debut with back in LCR’s debut season.

“Without any doubt, this is a very exciting project and a completely new challenge for us,” Cecchinello commented. “We do believe that Jack will be a future strong performer in the premier class due to his undeniable talent, motivation and drive. Together with Honda we will do our best to let him familiarise himself, step by step, with the MotoGP class.

“For sure Jack will need time to learn how to ride a 1000cc machine but there is no rush and next year will just be a learning season for him in the new class. Honda has a long term plan with him and we believe that with no pressure Jack will be able to show his talent in MotoGP.”

Miller currently leads the Moto3 World Championship as part of the Red Bull KTM Ajo outfit by nine points with five races remaining.

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