Jack Miller, according to the paddock rumour-mongers, had been all set to sign a deal with Pramac Ducati at the Brno MotoGP round but then spent six days in Japan with some HRC honchos and it didn’t materialise.

The Australian is number one on Francesco Guidotti’s wanted list but Marc VDS’s Michael Bartholemy also wants to keep the youngster, so Miller’s personal manager Aki Ajo only has to finalise the details with one or the other - those being bike spec and money.

“I’m not too worried about the money, I’m worried about a competitive bike. I think that’s what we need in this point in my career,” said Miller.

“I’m 22. I’m not looking to make the huge numbers, but of course I want to get paid to ride motorcycles. I’m a professional sportsman and I need to be paid — but I’m looking for a bike where I can really show my true performance.”

After another soul-destroying ride at Brno, Scott Redding is probably hoping to be rescued by Miller stealing his seat. The Glooucestershire rider’s form, even in the rain where he is usually at the sharp end, is following his confidence on a downward spiral and a move back to Marc VDS - his spiritual home - is on the cards.

Redding struggled on the RC213V before his move to Ducati - which a majority thought a match made in heaven - but he rightly points out it is a different bike now to the one he championed in 2015. His career, though, seems to be in the hands of Miller and Bartholemy, who is also Redding’s personal manager. And a man with briefcase full of Neurofen.

Bartholemy has a difficult job, balancing what is best for his team v what is best for his client. It would be a gamble putting Redding back on the Honda.

But in the shadows lurks the spectre of Stefan Bradl. The German isn’t having much fun in WorldSBK and it was rumoured for a time he would be a straight swap with Rabat going to the Red Bull Honda team. It looks likely now the Spaniard will replace Loris Baz at Avintia Ducati.

So Bradl might have a spot back in MotoGP with Bartholemy’s team, leaving Redding with not a lot to do in 2018 as he has all but ruled out a WorldSBK ride with Honda or Ducati, preferring a spot on the sofa instead.

Riders have made it from WorldSBK to MotoGP, Colin Edwards being the shining example, so it isn’t the graveyard Redding believes it to be. Earning £250,000 a year there might be preferable to season of Jeremy Kyle…