Having finished his MotoGP season with a podium at Valencia, Jack Miller signed off his 2021 racing activities with a rostrum – after a DNF – during a popular home appearance in the Australian Superbike finale.

Riding a Caterpillar-backed Panigale V4R with standard electronics, Miller qualified second for his debut races at The Bend Motorsport Park behind fellow Ducati rider, reigning and soon-to-be 2021 ASBK champion Wayne Maxwell.

Race one was red-flagged after six laps, when Miller (Michelin tyres) was sitting second to Maxwell (Pirelli).

The three-lap restart proving short lived for the #43, who had been struggling with his starts but this time snatched the holeshot before being embroiled in some frantic passes with the likes of Maxwell and Glenn Allerton.

But Miller was then being taken out when Aiden Wagner attempted to pass but lost the front and sent them both into the dirt.

Race two saw more red flags, this time on the opening lap, with Miller settling into fourth after a slow getaway on the restart. The double 2021 MotoGP race winner then passed Oli Bayliss, son of Troy, to move into third before successfully chasing down leaders Maxwell and Allerton.

Maxwell upped his pace to pull 3.8s clear of Allerton’s BMW in the closing stages for a perfect double in what could be his final ASBK event.

Miller slipped two seconds from Allerton and had his hands full holding off a late charge from the Dunlop-shod Yamaha of Cru Halliday to confirm the final place on the rostrum.

Miller celebrated by entertaining the fans with his repertoire of wheelies and burn-outs on the slow down lap.

“I think we can be pretty happy with that result,” said Miller, denied the chance to race in front his home Phillip Island MotoGP fans for the past two seasons due to Covid.

“The boys really rode good today. I’m normally pretty good at starts but with this thing I’m trying to take off like I’m at the traffic lights and it won’t work!

“It was a lot of fun. Thanks to everyone for coming, it’s awesome to see ASBK like this.

“I love racing motorcycles, that’s the whole reason we’re here and I’d love to come back and do it again.”

Miller will be back on his factory Ducati MotoGP machine during the 2022 Sepang test in early February.