VIDEO: Is Miller the right choice for Ducati?

Riding for Ducati in MotoGP is a dream for many riders, with even world champions Nicky Hayden, Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo tempted away from their title-winning factories to try for success on the Desmosedici.

But while some riders - like Casey Stoner - have shot to new heights at Ducati, others - like Marco Melandri - struggled to stay afloat.

The announcement of fan favourite Jack Miller’s promotion to the official Ducati team for 2021 has been met with positivity and excitement. But it comes with the unavoidable sacrifice of dropping a race winner from the team’s current line-up… so has Ducati made the right choice in committing to Miller:

Miller began his association with Ducati when he joined the satellite Pramac squad from Honda at the end of 2017 and has received the latest Desmosedici machinery since the start of last season.

With Andrea Dovizioso finishing title runner-up to Honda’s Marc Marquez for a third time in a row, the rider most at risk from Miller's arrival is clearly Danilo Petrucci.

Petrucci had claimed a maiden MotoGP victory at Mugello in June and finished a career-best sixth in the world championship, compared with eighth for Miller, but it was the Australian that had a much stronger end to the year.

Miller outscored the Italian by 95-55 points during the second half of last year, including a 4-0 podium comparison to Petrucci during that period, when he was also entrusted to race-develop Ducati’s innovative ride-height system.

Age was another element in Miller’s favour, with many MotoGP team bosses now looking at younger riders to try and defeat 27-year-old reigning champion Marquez.

Although only 25, Miller has already spent five seasons in the premier-class, providing a potent mix of experience and room for further growth.

How do you think Jack Miller will fare at the factory Ducati team?

Let us know in the comments below...