Jack Miller might spend the 2026 off-season racing in Australia. Yamaha Motor Europe road racing sporting manager Niccolo Canepa has said the team would be willing to let Miller race in the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) before his WorldSBK debut in 2027. "If Jack wants to race with the R1 in Australia, that is his country, rather than training in Spain like most of the other riders, why not?" Canepa said on the WorldSBK world feed broadcast at Cremona.
Miller, who will join Yamaha's WorldSBK project in 2027 after over a decade in MotoGP, has experience on production-derived machinery, including at the Suzuka 8 Hours and in ASBK back in 2022 at The Bend. However, there are regulatory hurdles: WorldSBK rules prohibit riders from training on race bikes. Canepa stressed that the option must be considered as long as the rules are adhered to. "We have to see with the regulations, because the riders have to use standard bikes for training, they cannot use race bikes," he explained.
The ASBK series will begin its first season of a new format this December, with its season running through the Australian summer and European winter months. Miller's MotoGP commitments would prevent him from racing the first two rounds of the 2026–27 season at Phillip Island and The Bend, but he could theoretically make round three in New South Wales, which takes place the week after the Valencia Grand Prix.
Opportunity and Challenges for Miller
For Miller, racing in ASBK could be an ideal preparation before fully committing to WorldSBK. He is already familiar with Australian circuits and production bikes, but must still comply with strict regulations. If allowed, this would be a smart move to adapt to the R1 without having to fly to Europe. Yamaha Australia would also need to give full support to make this plan a reality.
Canepa added that all Superbike riders typically train intensively during the winter. "At the end, all the Superbike riders train and use the bike a lot during the winter. So, if he has the opportunity to race there, why not?" he said. However, he emphasised that the final decision depends on the regulations and Miller's own desire.
Impact on Yamaha and WorldSBK
If Miller does race in ASBK, it could benefit Yamaha by allowing them to test the R1's performance in real racing conditions. Additionally, Miller's presence would raise ASBK's profile among international fans. However, Yamaha must be careful not to violate WorldSBK rules that prohibit using race bikes for training. This regulation is designed to maintain fair competition and prevent riders from gaining excessive technical advantages.
This decision will also affect Miller's preparation for the 2027 WorldSBK season. With racing experience in ASBK, he could adapt more quickly to the WorldSBK racing format, which differs from MotoGP. Certainly, all eyes will be on Miller and Yamaha to see if this move materialises.
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