Jack Miller's stunning return to the track at Phillip Island on Friday has forced him to rethink what he can achieve at the Australian MotoGP.
Just three weeks after breaking his right leg, Miller (Marc VDS) clocked the third-fastest time in the first free practice and was sixth-fastest in the afternoon session.
The 22-year-old suffered the fracture in a training accident near his European base in Andorra and is racing with a plate and eight screws inserted just below his right knee.
He missed last week's Japanese MotoGP as he undertook a gruelling recovery regime, with Friday morning's session his first time back on a motorbike since the training accident.
Despite the setback, Miller had been confident he could replicate last year's effort at his home grand prix when he battled into seventh, before finishing 10th.
But Friday's brilliant effort has raised the bar.
"I'm very happy with the lap times - I feel good out there, I feel comfortable," Miller said.
"The bike's working well, the team is working really well, I'm working all right so we'll see what happens on Saturday.
"I didn't even put all my sectors together so I'm sure I've got some more pace up my sleeve.
"I feel like we can really push to the pointy end, for sure.
"We've got really good consistent pace - I feel like I've got the speed. It gives me more and more hope for Sunday."
The top 10 riders after three practice sessions go through to Saturday afternoon's second qualifying session where they fight it out for pole position.
Sunday's race is over 27 laps, but Miller is confident his repaired leg is up to the task.
"When I'm on the bike it doesn't really hurt ... it's when I get off and straighten it back out that it starts to give me some grief," he said.
"It was a bit stiff ... it's been a while since I've been on the bike and it's been a while since the leg has had to do that much work.
"But it shouldn't be any drama."
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