Jack Miller, already the lightest among Yamaha’s MotoGP riders, has trimmed an additional two kilograms ahead of the 2026 season. This weight loss is significant because, unlike Moto3 and Moto2, where combined bike and rider minimum weight applies, MotoGP only enforces a minimum bike weight of 157 kilograms. Consequently, shedding rider weight can yield performance advantages by reducing overall mass during acceleration and braking, as well as improving aerodynamic efficiency through a smaller frontal area.
However, this benefit must be balanced with retaining the necessary strength and stamina required to control a MotoGP bike at high speeds over a full race distance. Marc Marquez previously demonstrated a visible reduction in weight before his title-winning season with factory Ducati, which may have influenced Miller’s decision to follow a similar path. According to official MotoGP statistics, Miller now weighs 64 kilograms, matching Marquez’s weight despite being four centimeters taller.
Details Behind Miller’s New Training Approach
During winter testing at Buriram, Miller confirmed a two-kilogram weight loss, which he attributed to changes in his training methods. He shared,
“I started working with a different trainer at the end of last year, December,”
explaining how this shift brought new perspectives.
He further elaborated,
“It’s been good. I’ve been enjoying the process, just working with a different outlook. I’m an old dog, but it’s never too old to learn new tricks!”
Miller described his training as more consistent and strategically controlled, involving less high heart-rate exercise, combined with a cleaner diet over the winter period:
Image of: Jack Miller
“It’s was mainly just the way of training,”
and
“And then diet as well, just trying to eat as clean as possible, especially over the winter.”
Miller Compares His Fitness to Moto3 Levels
Miller indicated that his weight loss has him feeling like he is back to the fitness levels experienced during his Moto3 days. While he didn’t directly state this was a reaction to Yamaha’s lack of top-end speed with their new V4 engine, he joked about this similarity in fitness:
“I’m trying to get myself in the best shape possible, and I feel the fittest I’ve ever felt coming into a season,”
adding,
“Losing weight as much as possible to feel like I’m in Moto3 again, trying to make the bike as fast as possible!”
This focus on fitness and weight adjustment is critical given Yamaha’s V4-powered bikes ranked low on the speed charts during the final day of pre-season testing, skewing behind rivals on the straights.
Physical Profiles of Yamaha’s 2026 Riders
Jack Miller: 173 cm tall, weighing 64 kg
Alex Rins: 176 cm tall, weighing 68 kg
Fabio Quartararo: 177 cm tall, weighing 69 kg
Toprak Razgatlioglu: 185 cm tall, weighing 80 kg
Yamaha’s Aerodynamic Upgrades and Team Caution
Miller confirmed that Yamaha’s new aerodynamic package is now the preferred design heading into the new season, replacing the previous tri-plane format. The old aero was only used during initial testing to preserve parts needed for the season opener.
He said,
“It was clear anyway we were going to be on that [new design], we were all, I think, unanimously happy with it in Sepang,”
but added,
“The only reason I was not using it [on day one at Buriram] was for parts. So we are in the process now of building enough up, but, you know, the team are scared and rightfully so after my season last year…! They know we can chew through some spare parts.”
Challenges Ahead on Yamaha’s V4 Bike at Buriram
Miller concluded pre-season testing as the highest-placed Yamaha rider in 16th position, trailing Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi by just over a second. Despite Yamaha’s difficulties with the underpowered bike, Miller expressed a focused determination to improve. Reflecting on the busy testing day, he remarked,
“Happy enough with pre-season, obviously it’s been busy. Today it was f**king busy. Two long runs… I’m gonna sleep like a baby tonight. But that comes to the territory with the new motorcycle, trying to understand it, trying to develop it,”
and acknowledged that there are clear areas that need attention.
He explained his approach, stating,
“We have clear areas we need to work on, but I feel good on the bike, feel like it’s getting better – working on it, changing little bits here, there and everywhere.”
Miller is now turning his focus to racing while anticipating the challenge ahead at Buriram:
“Obviously, we know this track is going to be a difficult one for us with so many big straights.”
He emphasized the team’s plans to accelerate development:
“We have a clear plan for when the first updates are coming. So the boys are pushing hard, and I’m pushing them harder to, let’s say, shorten the process as much as we can.”
Miller ended on a positive note about the bike’s handling:
“But apart from that, handling-wise I feel not bad. I’m enjoying riding.”
Progress on Yamaha’s Engine and Development Outlook
Although teammate Fabio Quartararo reportedly holds a more pessimistic view of the new Yamaha bike, Miller stayed optimistic regarding the development timeline. He commented,
“I try to be as positive as possible, and we have, like I said, a clear plan on when updates are coming. I firmly believe that the engineers are working their hardest.”
Miller emphasized the challenge of creating the motorcycle in a short timeframe:
“To have a motorcycle that was basically built six months ago, only one second off over one lap is no small feat. It takes a lot to reinvent a motorcycle.”
He further expressed confidence in the team’s work:
“So the engineers are doing a good job, and we will continue to push to try and give them the best feedback as possible and keep working the best that I possibly can.”
The first engine upgrades are scheduled to be introduced at the beginning of the European season.
Supporting Rookie Razgatlioglu During a Tough Transition
Pramac Ducati’s rookie Toprak Razgatlioglu has struggled in early testing, finishing near the bottom of the timesheets, 2.1 seconds behind Bezzecchi. Miller acknowledged Razgatlioglu’s efforts and ongoing adaptation process:
“Ah, he’s working hard. He’s a multiple-time world champion, but at the end of the day he’s a rookie and these tyres, this bike…”
Trying to assist his teammate, Miller said,
“If he was coming in on a bike that is running at the front, then of course he would expect more. But unfortunately for him he’s coming in on a project that at this point in time we are building.”
He added,
“He will get there, I tried to help him as much as I can with a tow in the first long run and then a tow at the end of the day, much as we did in Sepang. I try to do my best to be a good team-mate towards him and try to help his transition.”
Practice sessions for the Thai Grand Prix are set to begin on Friday morning, marking the start of race weekend activities.
