GUINTOLI CALLS MILLER’S YAMAHA WSBK SWITCH A POTENTIAL SURPRISE

Jack Miller’s anticipated switch from MotoGP to the World Superbike Championship with Yamaha has drawn a “surprise” reaction from former World Superbike champion Sylvain Guintoli, who believes the timing could benefit both the Australian and the factory programme.

Pramac has confirmed that Miller will be leaving at the end of 2026, bringing to a close a MotoGP stint that has lasted 12 seasons. The decision comes after Yamaha chose not to extend Miller’s factory contract. Instead, the Japanese manufacturer has moved to secure Moto2 standout Izan Guevara on a factory deal, with Guevara set to ride for Pramac from 2027. Yamaha’s confirmation of Guevara’s signing arrived just hours after the news that Miller will depart Pramac, leaving Miller without a MotoGP seat for the following season.

While the move ends Miller’s time in the premier class, it is positioned as a major gain for World Superbike. Guintoli agreed with Michael Laverty’s assessment that the switch could be a positive development for the WSBK grid, and he framed it as potentially unexpected for Yamaha’s rivals. Speaking on TNT Sports 2, Guintoli said: “It could be, yeah. It could be a surprise, and it could also be what Yamaha need in World Superbikes.” He added that Yamaha are “also trailing there,” and that Miller’s arrival could help change that picture.

Guintoli was also clear that, despite the potential upside for WSBK, he is personally disappointed to see Miller go. “We’re all really sad to lose him from MotoGP,” he said. Guintoli described Miller as “such a great character,” highlighting his role as “just a nice person to have in the paddock” and calling him “a great ambassador for the sport.” He concluded: “So, I’m really sad actually that Jack is going from this paddock. He will be 100% very much missed, and his personality is going to be missed, but it’s World Superbikes’ win.”

A key part of Guintoli’s “surprise” angle is the tyre landscape heading into 2027. Laverty had pointed to Michelin’s planned arrival as the sole tyre supplier in World Superbikes, and Guintoli echoed the idea that the change could play into Yamaha’s favour. He noted that Michelin’s World Superbike tyres are not the same as the MotoGP specification Miller is used to, but suggested the transition has already been managed successfully.

Miller’s familiarity with Michelin is extensive: he has raced on the French manufacturer’s tyres since it replaced Bridgestone as MotoGP’s sole supplier in 2016, after spending his rookie year in 2015 on Bridgestone with LCR Honda. According to the reporting, Miller has already been proactive about the switch, speaking earlier in August to Michelin two-wheel motorsport manager Piero Taramasso about the 2027 World Superbike tyres.

Guintoli said he understands that Michelin will supply two different World Superbike tyre specifications, and that the MotoGP tyres are “quite a bit different.” He explained: “What I would say is that Michelin has got two different specs of tyres for World Superbikes, and the MotoGP tyres are quite a bit different, actually.” He added that early work has already been completed, referencing testing that has taken place with the Superbike tyres: “From what I understand, the first tests have already been done with the Michelin tyres. There was a test here, actually, a couple of months ago with the Michelin Superbike tyres.”

Guintoli also pointed to the smoothness of the adaptation so far, saying: “And the transition was quite easy and good. So, everything went really well, and the tyres are working very well with the World Superbike spec, but [they are] different tyres.”

As for Miller’s Yamaha role, the reporting indicates he has already secured a 2027 World Superbike contract, with the expectation that he will replace Xavi Vierge at Yamaha and become Manuel Locatelli’s teammate once the deal is announced. The move also places Miller in WSBK at the same time Michelin replaces Pirelli as the production bike class’s sole tyre supplier, setting the stage for a new chapter that Guintoli believes could be more than just a straightforward transition.