Image: Supplied.

Australia’s Jack Miller has labelled the Jerez MotoGP test a ‘positive first day’ back aboard the Pramac Racing Ducati GP20, now set for the opening round of season 2020 this weekend.

Debuting a new number 43 font, Miller was eighth on combined times at 1m38.348s, that lap-time only half a second in arrears of Maverick Vinales (Monster Energy Yamaha) at the top of the charts.

“First of all, I am very happy to be back on my bike today after a long break,” Miller said. “The initial feeling was immediately very positive, even though it was my first time riding the new Ducati 2020 here at Jerez. We still have some small adjustments to make, but we are definitely on the right way – a very positive first day.”

Miller was immediately up to speed as the premier class resumed in Spain, fastest of all following the first hour when he wound up in seventh, before falling back to 11th in the warm afternoon conditions. That placed him P8 on combined times.