MILLER BACKS AGIUS TO SUCCEED IN MOTOGP, PRAISES HIS WORK ETHIC

Jack Miller believes Senna Agius has the discipline and determination to succeed when he steps up to MotoGP with KTM Tech3 in 2027. The 21-year-old Australian has signed a two-year deal and will take one of KTM’s four places on the grid as the premier class begins its 850cc regulations era. He is set to partner Luca Marini in a new-look Tech3 line-up.

Agius will also take over from Miller as the only Australian rider in MotoGP. Miller, who made his premier-class debut with LCR Honda in 2015 at age 20, is moving to the factory Yamaha WorldSBK team after his MotoGP contract with Pramac expired. He says the contrast between his own preparation as a young rider and Agius’s approach is striking.

“Compared to Senna, I was a d—— kid, a ratbag, at 21,” Miller told Fox Sports Australia. “I’ve never met a kid with more work ethic than him when it comes to training, preparing himself, physical training and the training he does off the bike with the superbike, or the motocross bike. He just does everything properly.”

Miller recalled that riders were less methodical when he entered the class. “When I came in, we were winging it, because nobody was doing that,” he said, describing Agius as “the modern MotoGP racer”. He is confident the young Australian can make the transition, provided he is given time to develop.

“We [Australians] bat above our average in all motorsport – F1, motocross, MotoGP [and] Superbikes – everything,” Miller said. “So, Senna continuing this – and I firmly believe he is the next one with his work ethic and the way he’s going about it – he’ll make it work, make the sacrifices and do what needs to be done. He’ll make it work if he’s given time.”

Agius has already had an initial taste of MotoGP machinery. At a Pirelli tyre test at Austria’s Red Bull Ring in late September, he rode a detuned version of KTM’s 1,000cc RC16. KTM has not yet allowed him to try its developing 850cc prototype; his first opportunity is expected at the post-season Valencia test in November.

Although the Austrian outing was not on the new-generation bike, Agius provided feedback on Pirelli’s 2027 tyres using his Moto2 experience. His manager and mentor, Chaz Davies, said Tech3 were particularly impressed with that feedback. Miller, who has taken Agius under his wing, sees the young rider’s preparation and willingness to make sacrifices as evidence that he is ready to build a future in the premier class.