Source: Supplied.

One year ago Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS Honda’s Jack Miller was forced to miss the first Sepang MotoGP test of the pre-season. This year, he’s declared he’s fitter than he’s ever been.

Miller underwent post-season surgery at the end of last year and has been working hard since – most recently at the American-based W Training Facility in California.

Entering his third season in MotoGP’s premier class – and the final term of his prized Honda Racing Corporation contract – the 22-year-old will tackle what’s perhaps the most important year of his career to date.

“It’s been a busy winter break,” Miller explained. “First came the surgery to remove the screws and plates from my leg and then it was straight into rehabilitation and training to make sure I was fully fit for the start of the new season.

“The last few weeks have been spent in California, mostly training in the gym and on the bicycle, but I also managed a few outings on the MX bike as well. I’m down to the same weight I was when I was in Moto3 and I’m starting this season fitter than ever before.

“Now we head to Sepang, where’ I’m looking forward to seeing what Honda have brought for us to test. I ended last year pretty well with a positive outing at Jerez and I hope we can continue in the same way in Malaysia next week.”

Team principal Michael Bartholemy commented: “Last year Tito [Rabat] was our only rider at the Sepang test as Jack was injured and that put us on the back foot from the start. This year we head to Malaysia with two riders who are fully fit and completely motivated, so already we’re starting the new season in a stronger position.

“We made some big changes to the team structure immediately after the final race of 2016, including new chief engineers for both riders, but I’m confident that the close working relationship that started to develop between them during the Valencia test will be strengthened further.”

Last year was a mixed season for Miller in his first with the Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS Honda squad, topped by his incredible Assen victory on his was to 18th in the world championship standings.