---
title: "Miller makes strong start in Jerez"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2017/05/05/miller-makes-strong-start-jerez/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Lewis Duncan"
section: "MotoGP News"
published: "2017-05-05T15:34:08Z"
modified: "2017-05-05T15:34:34Z"
---

# Miller makes strong start in Jerez

Marc VDS Honda rider Jack Miller says his performance today in Jerez is a ‘brilliant way to start the weekend’, after the Australian guided his RC213V to second on the timesheets.

Miller, a former pole sitter and race winner in Jerez in the Moto3 World Championship, has enjoyed solid start to his third campaign in the MotoGP class with three top 10 finishes from the first three races.

![Dan Istitene/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/05/679161392.jpg)

In this morning’s wet FP1, Miller utilised his prowess in tricky conditions to go third quickest, and proved his pace at the 4.4km Spanish venue was no fluke in the dry second session. The Marc VDS rider managed a 1m39.964s in the closing stages to go second overall, just half a second off of top spot.

“I felt really comfortable on the bike in the wet this morning and was happy to be battling inside the top three,” he said.

“The start of this afternoon’s session was a bit tricky because there were still quite a few damp patches around. But at the end it was completely dry and I was happy with my lap time. I did a 1m39.964 and that’s my best lap here at Jerez.”

Miller admits he did his best lap time without the benefit of a tow, putting his pace on Friday down to strong feedback from the front-end of his Honda, the Australian saying that he is able to exploit his motorcycle’s pace without pushing over the limit.

“I did that time alone as well and I just feel confident and comfortable with how the bike is behaving around this track.

“I’ve got some great feeling from the front end and I can put the bike where I want to without being too close to the limit. It’s a brilliant way to start the weekend and hopefully we can build on this for a strong result on Sunday.”

![Dan Istitene/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/05/679240930.jpg)

Team-mate Tito Rabat took the wet morning session cautiously, the Spaniard keen to avoid aggravating any of the injuries he picked up in the pre-season.

Happy with the feeling on his Honda in the wet, Rabat made steady progress in FP2 and took the chequered flag in 17th spot with a 1m41.165. Armed with set-up ‘pointers’ for tomorrow, Rabat feels he can climb up the order with better weather.