Image: Supplied.

It was P7 and a case of both positives and areas to improve for Jack Miller following the Australian MotoGP race, with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider enjoying the battle throughout the 27-lap outing.

Miller qualified eighth fastest after a run-in with Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing ) but made a rapid start to the full-length encounter to slot into fourth.

He reached as high as P3 on the opening lap but dropped back in those that followed, and was P8 behind Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) and Espargaro by lap six.

The RC16 rider was then engaged in a multi-rider battle for P6 throughout the second half of the race, regulating up and down the group before ultimately edging the number 41 for seventh on the final lap.

“It was a decent Grand Prix,” Miller explained. “I had a bit of fun with the guys there. The bike was working good and I cannot complain. I felt I was losing a bit too much time in the last sector but then also struggling a bit with the front tyre.

“I had to try and nurse it. We learned from that today. We didn’t really want that result at our home GP but it was a solid finish and we were not too far away from the front guys. Happy enough and happy with the bike. We have a bit more work to do but things are going good.”

Miller’s attention now turns to the sprint race tomorrow, which – weather permitting, is scheduled to commence at 1:00pm local time.