Australian MotoGP rider Jack Miller has shared his frustration regarding his and KTM’s performance in the 2024 season, admitting that the last time he felt comfortable and competitive on the RC16 was during the 2023 season. In a season where expectations were high, Miller struggled to deliver results, repeatedly citing the brand’s struggles to adapt to Michelin’s new rear tyres and the bike’s slow development.

2023 had been a relatively solid campaign for Miller. Despite the challenges he faced in his first year with KTM, he managed to maintain a competitive level, fighting for occasional podiums and showing flashes of speed. A highlight was his performance at the Valencia Grand Prix, where he came close to taking his first win with KTM, before a crash cut short his aspirations. He also took a podium at the Sachsenring and a sprint podium at Jerez, giving him confidence to continue his development with the bike.

However, 2024 has been a very different year. Miller has failed to find the same consistency, finishing the season 14th in the championship with just 87 points, a long way behind teammate Brad Binder, who finished fifth with a total of 130 points more than the Australian. His best result of the year was a fifth place on two occasions, underlining the gap between Miller’s performance and the expectations placed on him by KTM.

Miller’s main problem has been adapting to the Michelin rear tyre, which underwent changes in 2024. According to the rider, the new tyre construction has been a major challenge, affecting the stability of the bike, especially at the rear, which generated a large amount of vibrations that made it difficult to ride. Furthermore, KTM was unable to effectively solve this problem throughout the season, leading the team to experience a lack of progress with the RC16. Miller also mentioned that the lack of a new chassis for the bike since Misano 2023 did not help improve the situation.

“Last year in Valencia, leading that last race was a nice feeling,” Miller said. “Fighting for the podium at Sachsenring, podium and sprint podium at Jerez – those were important moments for me. But this year, with the new tyre, we struggled to adapt to that. It doesn’t help that we have the same chassis we had since Misano last year. That’s how things sometimes fall apart.”

The 2023 Spanish GP was one of the highlights of Miller’s career with KTM. At that event, he managed to get on the podium in both races, which for him represented a significant achievement, especially after he had been struggling to find his rhythm. Although the wet weather in Buriram played into his hands, the Australian rider is proud of his ability to fight for podium places despite the difficulties.

“I think so, Spain 2023 was my highlight with KTM,” he added. “Obviously the best result was fifth in Buriram. It was nice to be back fighting for the podium. We showed real courage, and that describes these last two years. I never gave up, even when I was crashing out of the race every other weekend. I always did my best.”

Despite the difficulties of 2024, Miller has not let frustration get the better of him. In several interviews, he stressed that his commitment to the team and his dedication to the sport have not wavered. “I never gave up for a moment. Even when there was nothing to gain, I continued to give my best,” he said, reflecting on the season.

However, Miller is aware that he has not lived up to his expectations. “I am a racer and I want to be competitive. Unfortunately, I have not lived up to my expectations over the last two years, so I am disappointed about that,” he said, making it clear that he expects much more from himself in the future.

For 2025, Jack Miller will make a team change and return to Pramac, where he will join Yamaha machinery following the transfer from the championship-winning team. It will be a new opportunity for the Australian to demonstrate his talent in a new environment, and Miller’s fans will be waiting to see how he adapts to his new challenge.

This article examines Jack Miller’s frustrating 2024 season, with Miller admitting that struggles to adapt to the rear tyre and slow development of the KTM have affected his performance. It also looks at his development since joining the team and his future plans for 2025.