Australian MotoGP star Jack Miller had made a dream debut for the Octo Pramac Ducati team on day one of MotoGP testing at Valencia, sitting in fifth place on the timesheet and less than half a second behind fastest man Maverick Vinales.

Miller set a 1’30.635 on his 54th of 57 laps which outpaced anything he did on the EG00 Hond at the Spanish track over the weekend. We sat down with him so he could explain himself:

How’s the Desmosecidi GP17?
“My 2018 season started yesterday when I met the new team. It’s an exciting time in my career and I’m enjoying this new adventure. I’m really happy about how I adapted to the bike straight away. I feel really comfortable with the bike. We haven’t touched anything yet and I’m impressed on my feeling, it seems the bike suits my riding style. I like the speed on the straight, but also the stability under braking. Lap-time wise, I’m satisfied.”

Ducati is renowned to be unique. Is it such a difficult bike to ride?
“It’s different, but I expected it. I like the behaviour of the bike, even this morning when the track was so cold and dirty. From the first laps I had a good feedback from the front tyre and a good contact feeling with the rear tyre. I’m able to brake quite late and I like this. Then of course, it’s early to speak because I haven’t found the limit yet.”

Is this the bike that you expected?
“I expected a fast bike that has a good contact on the rear and a good exit, but I was very positively surprised by the entry of the corner and the middle especially in the double turn here at Valencia where you don’t touch the brakes.”

You are the first to say that the Ducati turns very well…
“Maybe some riders should test the bike of other manufacturers.”

How do you get along with you new crew chief Cristian Populin?
“Very well. He is a very calm guy and I think this is a quality that I need on my side of the garage.”

It took Lorenzo almost one year to adapt to the Desmosedici. How long do you think you will need to go fast?
“I’m really happy of how I adapted to bike. I haven’t done anything special so far, but it seems that the Ducati suits my style. It doesn’t wheelie too much and I can enjoy this because I can focus more on the line. This is just the start.”