MILLER BACKS AGIUS TO THRIVE IN MOTOGP AS ROOKIE TARGETS 2027 AWARD

Senna Agius will become Australia’s sole MotoGP rider in 2027, stepping up from Moto2 with Tech3 as Jack Miller leaves the premier class for Yamaha’s World Superbike team. Miller’s Pramac seat will go to Moto2 rider Izan Guevara, while Agius is set to partner Luca Marini in the line-up led by Guenther Steiner.

The move will bring a major technical adjustment for the 21-year-old. MotoGP’s 2027 machines will use 850cc engines and have no ride-height devices, and Agius will also need to adapt to Pirelli tyres. He has already started testing KTM’s new bike, with early reports describing a quick connection and strong feedback. His first ride on the 850cc machine in Austria also gave him a striking impression of its power on the straights and under braking.

Miller believes Agius’s experience with larger, more unsettled machinery will help him make the transition. “From his progression and how he handles bigger bikes, I think a MotoGP bike will suit him really well,” he told Australian Motorcycle News. Miller said he would have welcomed the chance to race against his compatriot, but is keen for Agius to get the opportunity to show his ability.

The pair speak regularly, though Miller prefers to keep their relationship informal. “If I see something that might help him, I try to share my knowledge,” he said. “But I myself listen to everyone’s advice too, so I prefer to keep it as a friendship rather than a formal mentorship.”

Agius also sees his off-road background as increasingly useful as he moves to more powerful bikes. He said it initially made the switch to road racing in Moto3 harder, but became an advantage in Moto2, where the bike moves and slides more. Asked whether that experience would help in MotoGP, he replied: “Definitely. The bikes are bigger, the engines are bigger, there is more power and more slide. The bigger and the more powerful the machine, the easier it gets for me.”

Agius has set himself an ambitious target for his debut season: winning MotoGP’s Rookie of the Year award. He is one of five confirmed newcomers for 2027, alongside fellow Moto2 graduates Dani Holgado, Guevara and David Alonso, as well as Nicolo Bulega, who is moving up after winning the 2026 World Superbike championship. Bulega has also gained extensive experience testing the new 850cc bike, making him a formidable rival for the honour.

Speaking on MotoGP’s Helmets Off, Agius said: “I want my country to be proud of me. It’s a big responsibility. I just want to do my best for my country.” He added: “I want to be rookie of the year. I’ve got quite a lot of goals because I feel like I’m capable 100%. I want to look back at this experience and just know that I gave everything in my first season and try to start my life in MotoGP the best way possible and adapt as soon as possible. The pressure is a privilege for this one and, yeah, I will do my best.”