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Red Bull KTM Tech3 newcomer Miguel Oliveira confessed he was stunned by the Austrian brand’s decision to elevate Brad Binder straight into the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team on Thursday evening in Australia.

Oliveira, 24, will remain in the satellite team aboard a factory specification RC16, while Binder – initially signed to Tech3 for his MotoGP graduation – has been promoted to partner Pol Espargaro prior to turning a wheel in the premier class.

“KTM approached me at Misano and, they weren’t really asking me anything or giving me the option, they just said that there was this seat that was available in the factory team and they were thinking about putting Mika [Kallio] there,” explained Oliveira.

“I said, well if it’s Mika, I think it’s completely fine for me because I had built a good relationship with the Tech3 team and it doesn’t make sense to make the switch. In any case, you know we were supposed to have a factory bike this year that didn’t happen until recently and who knows about next year…

“This is the thing I want to look at, the KTM relationship in the long term and having chosen a rookie who is the same age as me makes me feel a bit like I’m not worthy enough to be there. But it’s their decision and I respect it – it doesn’t change any single thing on my mind of being here and doing the maximum.”

The story from Oliveira came as a surprise of sorts to KTM management at Phillip Island, which is claiming the Portuguese rider in fact opted to stay at Tech3 next season when questioned if he would be willing to join Espargaro in the factory team next year.

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Australian fan-favourite Jack Miller is confident he’s a chance of challenging up front in his home grand prix this weekend at Phillip Island.

Less than ideal weather is predicted across the weekend, however the Pramac Racing ace will take each day as it comes, acknowledging the local conditions can often suddenly differ from what is forecasted.

“It’s a place I love to ride at first of all, like everyone else,” said Miller at the pre-event press conference. “I think it’s one of the best circuits on the calendar and fortunately for me, it’s my home grand prix. I’m looking forward to getting out there.

“Like the boys said, the weather isn’t going to be ideal, but for me here at Phillip Island there’s no point looking at the forecast. If the wind changes, we’ll have either beautiful sunshine or freezing cold. So, we’ll wait until the morning and make a plan from there.

“Feeling really good, it was a shame about the race in Japan, but we had good pace there. Looking forward to my weekend at home, I’m normally pretty strong and with the form we’ve had this year I think I’ve got a chance of taking it to these guys!”

Miller will endeavour to keep his top Independent Rider honours alive this weekend, as Fabio Quartararo (Petronas SRT Yamaha) looks to secure the accolade.

Image: Russell Colvin.

LCR Honda Idemitsu fill-in rider Johann Zarco will take an open mind into today’s opening practices at the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, eager to keep his racing career alive as the replacement rider for Takaaki Nakagami.

Zarco parted ways with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing mid-season and was linked to a Yamaha testing role, however, he’s since committed to finishing out 2019 with the factory-supported LCR organisation aboard an RC213V.

“I’m very happy,” Zarco commented. “It’s difficult to fix a target, but I want to clear up all the feelings I got this year, because I had a great first two years in MotoGP. This year has been really complicated – it looked like the MotoGP story was finished.

“But then Lucio [Cecchinello] called me to catch the opportunity to ride in these three races and yes, I’m catching it because it’s maybe my last three races. I took a big risk this summer quitting my contract for 2020, but I realised that racing is what I want to do. So now I have a short future, but I can live it with a lot of intensity.”

With his mind set on a full-time return to racing next season, rather than taking up a test rider contract, Zarco could potentially step back to Moto2 for a year prior to 2021 when the majority of premier class riders are off-contract again. It has also been suggested he could possibly replace Jorge Lorenzo at Repsol Honda, despite the latter being contracted through 2020.

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Maverick Vinales says his previous success at Phillip Island has motivated him to secure victory this weekend at the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

The Monster Energy Yamaha rider claimed a thrilling win at the seaside venue in 2018 to end Yamaha’s winning drought, the Spaniard expressing his liking for Phillip Island, which happens to be a circuit that favours the YZR-M1.

“Overall, we had a positive race weekend in Japan, but unfortunately it wasn’t quite enough to be on the podium,” said Vinales.

“Now we are in Australia. I really like the Phillip Island track. I have many great memories of that circuit, and one of them is last year‘s race, when I won the Australian GP, which is very motivating. The team was working very hard, so we’ll try to be strong again this year and once more fight at the front.”

Vinales is ranked fourth in the championship standings, equal on points with third’s Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar).

Ducati Team’s Danilo Petrucci believes Phillip Island will provide him a ‘good opportunity’ to make steps forward in the MotoGP World Championship after coming off two difficult outings.

Acknowledging the Australian venue requires a particular riding style, the Italian ace is confident the circuit will play into his favour this weekend.

“Phillip Island is a special circuit that requires a specific riding style,” Petrucci explained. “In the last two races I’ve had some problems with the temperature of the tyres, but in Australia I think things will be a bit different. I’m not far off third place overall, which remains my objective and which I think it will be possible to achieve.

“Obviously I can’t be satisfied with my result in Japan and I want to improve here at Phillip Island because it’s a circuit that I like. It’s a good opportunity for me to make a step forward.”

Petrucci is currently ranked fifth in the championship standings, seven points shy of third position.