Miller needs to keep pushing, says Doohan

The five-time World Champion says Miller’s Dutch TT success is a clear indication that the young Australian has the goods to go on and have a successful career. However, while more wins on the Marc VDS Honda are unlikely, Miller needs to continue to perform as well as he can if he's to put himself in a position to make the next step.

“Generally people who can ride in the wet can ride in the dry. There have been a few exceptions, but normally guys who shine in the wet on an underpowered bike will show good promise if they’re given the right material,” Doohan told Motorsport.com.

“The good guys can ride in the wet and they can ride in the dry, but it’s the wet where the guys on lesser equipment can show their ability, and that’s what we saw in Assen.

“That being said, Jack still needs to keep going with the machine he’s got at the moment. He can’t rest on his laurels, he needs to keep pushing. And as long as he’s racing with and beating the guys on similar machinery, I think that’s enough to show that he’s capable of having success in the future.”

Win vindicates Honda decision

Doohan added that the breakthrough win will act as a form of vindication for Honda’s decision to promote Miller directly to the premier class in 2015, skipping Moto2 in the process.

“I think for Jack it was an opportunity that was too difficult to pass up, as it would have been for any other rider,” he said.

“Clearly Honda saw talent in him, and the way he was riding on the Moto3 bike definitely warranted the leap up to MotoGP. It’s just about adapting the environment; MotoGP is a tougher environment without a shadow of doubt. It’s more physical, there’s more pressure, there’s a whole bunch of factors that the smaller categories aren’t affected by.

“Jack is holding his head high, and by securing his first win there’s almost a bit of relief. The next step is the win in the dry, but with the machinery he’s on that’s highly unlikely this year.

“I’m not sure what is in store for him the next few seasons, but with Honda behind him hopefully the next step is to give him some better product.”

Miller will be back in action for the first time since his Assen win in Germany this weekend, while the weekend of October 21-23 will see him race in Australia for the first time as a Grand Prix winner at the Australian GP at Phillip Island.