Source: Supplied.

Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS Honda’s Jack Miller finished the 2016 MotoGP season in the points with a determined ride into 15th-place at Valencia on Sunday.

The 30-lap race at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit completed a roller-coaster season for Miller with the thrill of his maiden MotoGP victory in Assen combined with some debilitating injuries.

The gritty Australia rider expected more from the final race, but struggled with grip and shifting issues and was unable to improve upon his starting position of 15th on the grid. He lost ground early on with a full tank of fuel and conceded a gap to the group of Scott Redding, Stefan Bradl and Danilo Petrucci in the battle for 12th place.

“This is not the result I wanted, but I struggled right from the beginning of the race with a full fuel load, I just couldn’t push as hard as I wanted,” Miller said. “The guys ahead got a gap and by the time I got some pace mid-race it was too late. Towards the end I struggled with wheelspin and also the downshifts into turn one. But I’m happy to bring it home in the points and go to the test on Tuesday and try some new parts for next year.”

Team principal Michael Bartholemy said: “A very difficult race for both our riders today and the result is a little disappointing because I was hoping for a better result for Jack. The main positive from today was that Tito made the same lap time as Jack and the riders in front of him. This was impressive considering he had struggled for pace all weekend.”

A single championship point in the final race of season gave Miller a tally of 57 points for the season and 18th in the standings. Preparations for the 2017 season begin at Valencia on Tuesday with Miller and Rabat scheduled for the end-of-season two-day test.