Image: Supplied.

A challenging weekend for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jack Miller at Misano was brought to a premature end on Sunday after he was ‘sucker-punched’ out of the San Marino GP.

Saturday at the 12th round of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship saw Miller qualify P18, and he ultimately finished 15th in Saturday’s sprint, searching for time in sectors one and three.

During the San Marino GP, Miller was able to work his way forward to P14 when on lap 10 he was hit by Ducati test rider Michele Pirro, bringing them both down and out of the race at turn four.

“I got a semi-decent start and was doing my best to stick with the group in front,” Miller recall. “I felt like my pace was getting better and better as the race went on but then I was sucker-punched. I couldn’t do too much about it. The test tomorrow should be an important day for us and has come at a good time. I will be happy to spend more time on the bike to understand some things and get some confidence back.”

Despite a strong start to his campaign with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing in 2023, recent outings have proved more challenging for the Australian, as he looks ahead to an important Misano MotoGP test today at the San Marino-based circuit.