Image: Supplied.

It was a disappointing outcome at Le Mans for Australia’s Jack Miller after showing strong pace in the build-up to the races, the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider later admitting ‘he used too much curb on the inside of turn four’ as he crashed out of the 1000th GP on Sunday.

Miller topped both practice sessions on Friday and qualified fourth fastest for Saturday’s sprint race and Sunday’s historic grand prix.

While in podium contention during the sprint race, Miller crashed out on lap two, opting to run a medium front tyre for that bout and immediately not feeling comfortable.

He charged to the early lead in Sunday’s grand prix and held P1 until lap 10. From there he dropped to seventh as the race progressed and in the closing stages of the bout, he lost the front at turn four, ultimately forcing him out of the race.

“Obviously not the way we wanted to end things here,” said Miller. “We had great pace all weekend and led a decent handful of laps but when the other boys came past they seemed to be able to knock-it-up a gear and I knew my marks, I knew where I could push and where I couldn’t.

“I was fading a little bit but also preserving the left side of the tire and I knew I had a bit left at the end. I then used too much curb on the inside of turn four and that was all she wrote. I cut it tight just a little bit too much. Really disappointing for myself and the team, they have been doing an amazing job and the bike was so good all weekend. It’s a bummer to come away with no points but we’ll re-group for Mugello.”

Following the first five rounds of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship, Miller is eighth in the title-race as the series moves to Mugello, Italy, for round six between 9-11 June.