MotoGP, Sportrik Media - Jack Miller has detailed the long-term impact of shoulder injuries in MotoGP, as the topic continues to dominate headlines alongside the recovery of Marc Marquez and the absence of Maverick Vinales ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.
Shoulder-related injuries have become a key concern in recent months, with Marc Marquez still recovering from damage sustained last season, while Maverick Vinales was forced to withdraw from COTA due to a displaced screw following surgery. Beyond dislocations and ligament damage, collarbone fractures remain one of the most common injuries in MotoGP, most recently affecting Jorge Martin at Motegi.
Although airbag technology has helped reduce the frequency of such injuries, they remain unavoidable in high-speed racing. Many riders carry accumulated damage from previous crashes or off-road training, which can have lasting effects on performance and physical balance.
Jack Miller is a prominent example, having fractured his right collarbone eight times during his career. The repeated injuries and surgeries have significantly altered the structure of the bone.
“It’s something I worked on really hard over the winter,” Miller told Motomatters.com.
“I’ve broken this collarbone eight times, so it’s basically like a zigzag. It’s been replated, the plate removed, then replated again.”
He explained that the damage has affected how tendons sit over the bone, leading to uneven load distribution and recurring issues. At one stage, the condition caused significant difficulties, particularly around the 2020 season, before becoming more manageable in recent years.
However, testing with Yamaha at the end of last year revealed a major functional imbalance between his shoulders, directly impacting his riding performance.
“We found that my right shoulder was functioning at about 50% compared to my left,” he said.
“I was struggling much more in right-hand corners than in left-hand ones.”
In response, Miller undertook an intensive physical training programme during the off-season, working with a trainer to rebuild strength and compensate for the imbalance.
He also highlighted how the body naturally adapts to avoid pain, often leading to suboptimal riding techniques.
“Once the pain goes away, you tend to ignore it, but you don’t realise that you’re not functioning properly,” he explained.
“You start making adjustments—like not placing your elbow correctly—to protect yourself. That’s what happens.”
Meanwhile, Gigi Dall’Igna remains confident that Marc Marquez will be “100% fit” for the Jerez round, despite ongoing rehabilitation. In contrast, Maverick Vinales will miss the Spanish Grand Prix after undergoing surgery to remove the displaced screw.
With physical condition continuing to play a decisive role, Jack Miller heads into Jerez aiming to secure his first points of the 2026 season aboard Yamaha’s new V4 machine. The outcome of the weekend will offer a clearer indication of his ability to manage physical limitations while adapting to a new technical package.
Baca Juga
Alex Marquez mengakui Ducati GP26 lebih menantang dibanding GP24 di awal MotoGP 2026, namun yakin masih ada potensi pengembangan.
Jorge Martin menghadapi MotoGP Spanyol 2026 dengan performa kuat bersama Aprilia, namun mengakui Jerez bisa jadi tantangan terberat musim ini.
Maverick Vinales dipastikan absen di MotoGP Spanyol 2026 setelah operasi bahu, sementara Tech3 kehilangan pengganti akibat cedera Pol Espargaro.
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