Image: Supplied.

Recovering from 21st on the opening lap, Australia’s Jack Miller delivered an incredible comeback at Sepang to reach P6 despite carrying lingering effects from Phillip Island’s crash one week earlier.

Miller endured the Malaysian GP weekend ‘pretty sore’ after being taken out heavily during round 18 of the 2022 MotoGP World Championship the prior Sunday, and qualified on the fifth row ahead of the 20-lap bout at Sepang.

Despite a challenging first corner, the Ducati Lenovo Team rider kept his composure and produced times throughout the race consistently in the high 2m00s bracket, allowing him to progress through the field. On the final lap, Miller made a move stick on Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) and ultimately finished 1.5s behind fifth-placed Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar).

“Racing in Malaysia is always difficult, and today it was even more challenging starting so far back,” Miller recalled. After the start, I found myself sandwiched in the first corner, finishing 21st. I kept calm and made several overtakes, trying not to make any mistakes. I managed to get behind Marc Marquez on the last lap and even tried to pass him at turn four.”

While Miller charged forwards, teammate Francesco Bagnaia won the race and Ducati Lenovo Team secured the MotoGP Team’s World Championship, meaning both years the number 43 has been with the factory Bologna squad in the premier class, the outfit has been the top-placed team.

“I am satisfied with my performance today, also considering the condition of my leg after the Phillip Island crash and yesterday’s crash in Q1,” Miller added. “Also, it was a great day for the team: we won the team title for the second year in a row, and I am proud to be part of this success.”

Just one race remains in Miller’s Desmosedici stint before he moves to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing from 2023. He enters the 20th and final round of this year’s championship at Valencia fifth in the rider’s standings, having scored seven podiums and one race victory in the season to date.