Yamaha is banking on Jack Miller’s expertise: “A Michelin is still a Michelin”

The 2026 Superbike World Championship was a massive disappointment for Yamaha. In the final year of Pirelli’s one-size-fits-all tyres, the R1 fell well short of expectations. The switch to Michelin and the arrival of Jack Miller open up new possibilities for 2027. Yamaha racing manager Niccolo Canepa sees the Australian’s tyre experience in particular as a valuable asset.

Just how difficult the past season was is illustrated by Andrea Locatelli’s results: finishing twelfth in the World Championship, the Italian was the highest-placed Yamaha rider. His fifth place in the wet race in Australia remained his only top-five finish. In dry conditions, he failed to achieve a similar result; a podium finish or even a victory also remained out of reach.

Team-mate Xavi Vierge finished the season 13th in the World Championship, Remy Gardner came 16th and Stefano Manzi 18th. The manufacturers’ standings were also sobering: Yamaha finished in fourth place, just ahead of Kawasaki, which was represented by just one rider.

Yamaha’s hopes for 2027

Against this backdrop, the technical transition for 2027 takes on particular significance. All manufacturers must adapt their motorbikes to Michelin tyres. With Miller, Yamaha is gaining a rider who has many years’ experience with the French tyre manufacturer from MotoGP. However, the Australian is not yet familiar with the new Superbike tyres.

Niccolo Canepa

Foto: Yamaha

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Despite the technical differences, Canepa sees value in Miller’s experience: “A tyre developed for MotoGP is different. It cannot be used in the World Superbike Championship,” the Italian clarified in an interview with SPEEDWEEK.com. “From my own riding career and the many tyre tests I’ve done on different motorbikes, I know that every tyre brand conveys a certain feel. Even if the construction, carcass and compound are different, the basic behaviour remains similar.” For Canepa, however, it is not the specific construction alone that determines whether a rider can draw on their previous experience.

“What I’ve learnt over many years of testing tyres from different manufacturers on various motorbikes is that, ultimately, a tyre brand conveys a certain feel. Even though the construction, carcass and compound may differ, the behaviour ultimately remains similar,” explained the Yamaha manager.

Miller therefore does not bring a ready-made set-up solution for the R1 with him. However, his experience could help him to understand the characteristics of the new tyres more quickly and provide the team with precise feedback during development work.

Tyre DNA remains the same across classes

“A Michelin will always be recognisable as a Michelin to a rider – regardless of whether they’re riding a MotoGP bike with a corresponding prototype tyre or a Superbike with production-based racing tyres. A Pirelli will always remain a Pirelli. The same applies to Bridgestone, with which I have direct experience myself,” explained Canepa, who rode for Yamaha in the World Endurance Championship for many years.

The tyre change alone does not yet guarantee Yamaha a resurgence. The competition will also continue to develop their motorbikes and try to make the best possible use of the Michelin tyres. However, after a season without a podium finish, Yamaha needs to make significant progress to get back in contention at the top.

Miller is already familiar with the R1 from his appearances at the Suzuka 8 Hours and from private testing. From 2027, he is set to combine this knowledge with his Michelin experience.

“That’s why I believe it will be a great help to have him on board. Even though the tyres differ from those used in MotoGP, their characteristics will be very similar,” emphasised Canepa.