Jack Miller’s Italian MotoGP race ended prematurely after just ten laps when his Pramac Yamaha encountered severe technical problems that rendered the bike almost impossible to control. The Australian rider, who began the race from 13th on the grid, struggled with a malfunctioning clutch and other mechanical issues that forced him to retire on the challenging Mugello circuit.
Miller lost five positions on the opening lap as the clutch started slipping immediately after the start, causing him to battle to keep the bike upright and competitive. The difficulties quickly escalated, hampering his chances despite a strong launch off the line.
Clutch and Fuel Delivery Problems Worsen Race Conditions
From the outset, Miller’s clutch showed serious faults that undermined his performance. He described how the clutch
“basically burned itself out as soon as I let it go – even though my launch was good,”
highlighting the immediate mechanical setback.
He continued to struggle for the first three laps, “short-shifting everywhere” in an attempt to mitigate the clutch issues and keep the bike moving. Though there was slight improvement, hitting bumps on the circuit caused the bike to jerk unpredictably, throwing him wide on the track and losing him further positions.
Adding to his troubles, Miller suffered contact with another rider during the first lap, which damaged a wing on his bike, making it unstable and prone to wheelies. The combination of these mechanical faults and race incidents severely compromised his competitiveness.
Further frustration arose from a fuel delivery fault, which Miller said
“made the bike even more aggressive,”
compounding the handling difficulties to the point where he described the Pramac Yamaha as “basically unrideable.” Despite attempting to continue, Miller ultimately retired from the race on lap ten.
Miller Looks Ahead to Assen After Difficult Mugello Experience
After retiring from the Mugello race in 15th place, Jack Miller will now prepare for the upcoming event at Assen, a circuit that holds positive memories as the location of his first MotoGP victory in 2016 with Marc VDS. Currently, Miller sits 19th in the world championship standings, holding 31 points.
Miguel Oliveira Offers Slight Positive Amid Pramac Yamaha Struggles
While Miller was forced to withdraw, his teammate Miguel Oliveira managed to complete the race, finishing 13th. Oliveira was the highest-placed Yamaha rider, narrowly edging out Fabio Quartararo in a photo finish, but he was still a significant 26.4 seconds behind the winner, Marc Marquez.
Oliveira acknowledged the large performance gap and difficult race conditions, stating,
“Being the first Yamaha across the line makes it a little less disappointing, but honestly, the result and the gap to the front – 26 seconds – is what really matters, and it’s too much.”
He highlighted struggles with pace, bike vibrations, and overtaking, all amplified by the challenging heat on race day.
He added,
“Just staying with the group in front meant pushing the tyres to the limit, with no chance to manage anything. It was a tough race, but it is what it is. We’ll analyse everything and aim to improve for Assen.”
Oliveira, who missed part of the season due to injury, remains 23rd in the championship with six points.
Pramac Yamaha Team Director Acknowledges Difficult Weekend and Looks for Improvement
Team Director Gino Borsoi described the Mugello weekend as “very difficult,” citing challenges from the first day and the technical troubles that severely impacted Miller’s race. He praised Oliveira’s perseverance in finishing the race despite the lack of competitiveness.
Borsoi stated,
“It was a very difficult weekend – complicated right from the first day,”
and added,
“I want to highlight Miguel’s strong race, which gives me hope for the future. Unfortunately, Jack was affected by a technical issue that forced him to retire.”
He emphasized the need for upgrades, especially to address issues in high-temperature conditions, but remained cautiously optimistic:
“Still, I believe we’ve come away with a better understanding of how to handle these situations, and I’m confident that this experience will help us take a step forward.”
Upcoming Challenges Focus on Recovery and Performance Gains
Miller’s forced retirement at Mugello underscores the significant difficulties facing Pramac Yamaha in terms of bike reliability and race pace this season. The team’s technical setbacks and performance issues have resulted in frustrating results for both riders, hampering their competitiveness.
With the next round scheduled at Assen, where Miller has a successful history, expectations are focused on resolving the challenges experienced at Mugello. Both riders and team management are working towards better handling, improved stability, and enhanced performance to compete more effectively in the remaining MotoGP calendar.
