MARQUEZ RECALLS EARLY RIVALRY IN TRIBUTE TO MILLER
28 Oct 2026·
Marc Marquez has revealed how a fierce early rivalry with Jack Miller eventually gave way to friendship, in a tribute video made for the Australian’s final home MotoGP round.
Miller’s 2026 Australian Grand Prix was his last as a MotoGP rider. He scored points in the sprint, but poor weather forced the cancellation of the main race. The Pramac rider is leaving the premier class after losing his seat to Moto2 frontrunner Izan Guevara. He is set to join Yamaha’s factory World Superbike team in 2027.
MotoGP gathered messages from riders to mark Miller’s final Australian Grand Prix. Marquez, a seven-time world champion, opened his contribution by calling Miller “Jackass” before recalling the tension between them during their younger racing days.
“We know that, in our relationship, there was a lot of hate,” Marquez said. “I started to hate you in 2014, when you were fighting against my brother.” Miller had been battling Alex Marquez for the Moto3 title that season. Marc said his view changed after getting to know Miller personally: “But then I met the real person, and now we can say we have a very good relationship. I wish the best for your future.”
Their careers later produced a memorable shared moment at the 2016 Dutch Grand Prix. Miller, then riding for Marc VDS Honda, claimed his first MotoGP victory in wet conditions, with Marquez finishing second.
Former Ducati team-mate Francesco Bagnaia also sent a message. The pair raced together from 2019 to 2022, and Bagnaia recalled how much it meant to share podiums with Miller. “Maybe when we started sharing podiums in MotoGP, it was one of the greatest feelings that I had because I was very happy for my team-mate,” he said. “Everybody will miss Jack in the paddock.”
Miller’s current Pramac team-mate Toprak Razgatlioglu remembered a kindness from their earlier careers. Razgatlioglu said he was competing in the Rookies Cup while Miller was in Moto3 when he suffered a serious crash in Britain. “I had a big crash in the UK, and only you asked me if I was OK,” he said. “I’ll never forget this. We love you; don’t forget this.”
The messages offered a portrait of Miller’s relationships across the paddock: from the rivalry Marquez described to the support and affection expressed by former and current team-mates as the Australian prepares for his next chapter in racing.