Team Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS riders Jack Miller and Tito Rabat completed their best qualifying performances of the season so far in advance of Sunday’s Grand Prix of the Americas.

Miller will start 12th on the fourth row while Rabat will launch for the 21-lap race from position 16 on row six for the third round of the MotoGP World Championship in Texas.

Miller was forced to switch to his spare Honda RC213V after an early crash cost him a chance of a much faster time.

The Australian rider had progressed into the Q2 session with an impressive lap of 2’04.438 that put him top of the timesheets in Q1 ahead of three time world champion Jorge Lorenzo.

Finally Miller posted a time of 2’05.970 in Q2 on his back-up machine with a strong comeback after his spill at turn two.

Rabat’s qualifying time of 2’05.920 matched his pace and steady improvement during free practice. The Spaniard believes it is a strong platform to continue his points scoring streak from the Qatar and Argentina races despite not maximizing his qualifying pace.

Qualifying at the bumpy and fast 5.513km Circuit of The Americas was run in chilly and overcast conditions with the track temperature 12 degrees cooler than Friday’s hot and sunny free practice.

Jack Miller: 12th – 2’05.970
“I always knew that Q2 was going to be difficult because we didn't have enough new tyres left and in the cooler conditions I got caught out. I was wide at turn one, completely off line, and then went to cruise through turn two and completely lost the front. A slow and strange crash. But I am happy with my speed for the race and I’ve started from much worse than 12th position and got into the top ten. I’m not fussed if it’s warmer like Friday or cool for the race, I have a good feeling for this track.”

Tito Rabat: 16th – 2’05.920
“It was much cooler today and we did a very good job in the morning FP3 session and made a lot of progress. But I lost time in the afternoon qualifying, it was my mistake waiting for other riders and I know I need to take more confidence to go alone but it is not easy in this track with such a long lap. But I’m happy with my race set-up and looking to again finish in the points.”

Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal
“It was good for Jack to be in Q2 and we know this is what he is capable of. The crash was a pity and for sure Jack lacks some experience in doing the Q2 session but he made a strong comeback on the spare bike when we did not have another new front tyre to use. Jack’s race pace shows that he can get a good result here. Tito dropped his pace slightly in qualifying but overall it has been a strong weekend for him and I believe tomorrow we can have both riders in the points like in the opening two races.”