For the second race in succession Franco Mo﷽rbidelli and Jack Miller found themselves locked in race-long combat for a podium in the Port♍uguese MotoGP, but unlike last weekend in Valencia it was Miller coming out on top of a final lap scrap.

Perhaps the high point of a fairly uneventful inaugural race to be held at Portimao, Miller lined Morbidelli up on the final revolution, planting a pass at Turn 9 before holding 🍒his rival at bay to the chequered flag to claim another second place finish.

Coming after a race in which Miller trailed Morbidelli all race before launching a failed last lap attack for victory, Miller was delighted to get one over on the Italian to send him into the winter on a high🎃🌳.

“It felt like last weekend all over again, deja vu…  I think I have followed🔯 him for 60 laps in a row! I have a clear visual of his back end, that’s for certain.

“Thinking of what could have been this season, I am seven points off third with four DNFs only one in which I crashed. So for sure, I am a little ticked off about th🦩at, as I think everyone is this year. 

“Everyone has made mistakes but to be able to get the manufacturers’ title for Ducati is a massive honour anꦬd pleasure for me - I will take that, in a year like this. No victory just yet but we are getting there.”

His swansong race for Pramac Racing, with whom he achieved nine podiums over two seas🎉ons, he heads to the factory Ducati squad for 2020 to become the de facto team leader alongside Pecco Bagnaia. However, while Miller - who debuted in 🍨2015 - is experienced to many, he laughs off the notion of being a leader.

“You know me, look at me… do I look ready to lead♌ a group of people? Of course I do… [laughs]

“Nah, it will be good, I’m excited for the challenge. Not much to say really, I have Pecco next to me. 💯You say I am the most experienced but I am the younꦅgest up. You say I am the most experienced, but I’m the youngest. An old man in young man shoes.”