Source: Supplied.

Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS Honda’s Jack Miller crashed out of the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, denying him an opportunity to race for a top 10 result.

Miller returned to MotoGP after being sidelined from recent races with a hand injury, however his day ended early on lap seven of 24 when he lost the front-end and crashed at turn one.

The Aussie had charged in the opening laps and looked set to challenge for a top 10 finish in a tight tussle in a group featuring Scott Redding, Danilo Petrucci, Alvaro Bautista and Stefan Bradl.

But a small braking error and another front-end slide put paid to the Australian rider’s chances of completing the race distance as a warm-up for his home race at Phillip Island next weekend.

“I just made a small mistake and braked a little too late and lost the front-end in turn one,” Miller commented. “I tried to stay on the racing line but I was a little too fast and just tucked the front.

“I was pushing hard to stay in the group with Scott, Petrucci, Bautista and Bradl and it was shaping up as a nice little battle until I made the mistake and it was all over.”

Team principal Michael Bartholemy commented: “Jack’s crash was a little disappointing, because I feel he had the potential to challenge for a top 10 finish here and it was important for him to finish the race because next weekend is a big one for him at Phillip Island.”