Image: Supplied.

North Queenslander Jack Miller will become a factory Ducati Team rider in the 2021 MotoGP World Championship, with an option to extend into the following season.

The Borgo Panigale brand has signed the 25-year-old following widespread speculation that the deal had been completed in recent weeks.

“First of all I want to thank warmly Paolo Campinoti, Francesco Guidotti and all the Pramac Racing team for the great support I have received from them in the two and a half years spent together,” Miller commented.

“It is an honour for me to be able to continue my MotoGP career with the Borgo Panigale manufacturer and I would like to thank all the Ducati management, Claudio, Gigi, Paolo and Davide, for having trusted me and given me this incredible opportunity.

“I look forward to starting riding again this year and I am ready to fully commit to the responsibility of being an official Ducati rider in 2021.”

Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding, added: “Since he arrived in the Pramac Racing team, Jack has grown steadily, proving himself one of the fastest and most talented riders in the championship. So we are happy that he has agreed to ride the official Desmosedici GP bike of the Ducati Team next year.

“We are convinced that Jack has all the right skills to fight continuously for the positions that matter, in every race, starting already this season with the Desmosedici GP20 of the Pramac Racing Team and taking a further step forward next year thanks to the support of the Ducati Team.”

Miller will become the third Australian after Troy Bayliss and MotoGP Legend Casey Stoner – who captured the manufacturer’s sole premier class crown in 2007 – to ride in the famous red of Ducati.

Miller, who made his MotoGP debut in 2015 at just 20 years old, joined Ducati in 2018 with the Pramac Racing team, the factory-supported team of the Bologna manufacturer, and finished last season eighth overall in the standings after taking five podiums during the year.