Jack Miller explains why Yamaha V4 front end is “copping a hiding” in MotoGP

Jack Miller hopes the flowing nature of the Assen circuit will suit Yamaha's V4 during this weekend's Dutch MotoGP.

The Pramac rider endured a pointless weekend at Brno but is more optimistic ahead of Assen, where he claimed his first premier-class victory with Marc VDS in 2016.

“Back here in Assen, looking forward to the weekend. Quite a different track to Brno and I think we can be more competitive here,” he said on Thursday.

“The nature of the track means a lot of momentum is the key around here. It's not so much an accelerating, decelerating kind of track.

“Last year, we were somewhat competitive, but then struggled a lot with tyre life.

“We've been a lot better on the tyres this year with the V4, so fingers crossed we can have a better weekend.”

"It's copping a hiding"

Although acknowledging the underpowered V4 loses out on acceleration, Miller insisted the front end is unfairly criticised.

“I mean it gets a hard rap because it's copping a hiding. You're trying to make up for what you've lost in acceleration and throughout the straight,” he said.

“The front end of the bike, for where it's at, isn't crazy bad. I don't think it's one of the worst points. 

"As I said, it gets a hard time.

“You really are asking a lot from it, when we’re braking, we're turning in and the corner speed we're trying to carry.

“That's why I feel like we can try to be a little more competitive here because it's a bike that you can carry some decent corner speed on still.”