What’s on Jack Miller’s Nose?
- By Kylie
- Update 2025/10/21
780 words, 4 minutes read time
If you watched the recent MotoGP 2025 race, you probably noticed something unusual about Australian rider Jack Miller — a small silver patch sitting across his nose.
Social media lit up with speculation. Some fans thought it was a nose guard, others guessed he was hiding an injury. But in reality, it’s something much more interesting — and it has nothing to do with protection.
That “metal-looking patch” is actually a nasal dilator, a breathing aid designed to help athletes improve airflow under high-intensity conditions.
What Exactly Is He Wearing?
According to reports from Kyro Sports and Jalopnik, the device seen on Miller’s nose isn’t metal armor or medical tape — it’s a nasal breathing assist device, also known as a nasal dilator strip or nasal expander.
These devices are designed to slightly open the nasal passages by applying gentle outward pressure, reducing internal airflow resistance and making nasal breathing easier — particularly under heavy breathing or constrained helmet conditions.
“It is a mechanical tool that helps in the reduction of nasal airway management problems.” — Kyro Sports, 2025
Source: Kyro Sports Article
Unlike adhesive nasal strips, which are applied externally, this type of dilator often uses a thin plastic or metallic structure that holds its shape, keeping the nostrils open from the inside.
Why Would a MotoGP Rider Use It?
In MotoGP, riders race at over 300 km/h while wearing tight helmets and controlling powerful machines for up to 45 minutes at a time. Inside the helmet, air pressure changes, humidity rises, and every breath counts.
A nasal dilator helps maintain steady airflow by:
Preventing the nasal valves from collapsing under pressure
Supporting continuous nose breathing instead of mouth breathing
Improving perceived oxygen efficiency
Reducing fatigue and maintaining concentration
As Jalopnik explained, while scientific studies on VO₂ max improvements are still inconclusive, many riders and endurance athletes report a noticeable subjective benefit.
“Even if the oxygen gain can’t yet be measured precisely, riders say they can feel the difference.” — Jalopnik, February 2025
Source: Jalopnik Article on MotoGP Nasal Devices
The Science Behind Nasal Breathing
Nasal breathing isn’t just about airflow — it affects focus, recovery, and even emotional regulation.
Breathing through the nose filters dust and pathogens, humidifies incoming air, and helps balance oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.
In high-stress, high-performance sports like MotoGP, nasal breathing offers a micro advantage — small enough to overlook, yet significant enough for elite athletes to adopt.
“Nasal breathing supports better airflow and reduces fatigue during long periods of focus.” — BBC Future, May 2025
Source: BBC Future — “The Surprising Power of Breathing Through Your Nose”
A Tiny Device, A Big Advantage
Jack Miller’s use of this nasal breathing device reflects a broader trend in elite sports: athletes are increasingly exploring micro-optimizations that improve comfort and performance.
From Formula 1 drivers to long-distance runners, nasal dilators are becoming a subtle but growing part of the performance toolkit — as common as compression suits or sports tape.
They’re not flashy, but they do one essential thing:
They help athletes breathe better under pressure.
What Comes Next
The appearance of nasal dilators in MotoGP is a reminder that performance doesn’t always come from big changes — sometimes it’s the small, nearly invisible details that make the difference.
If you’ve ever seen nasal strips — those soft adhesive bands used by athletes, runners, and even people who snore — you might be wondering:
👉 How are they different from the device Jack Miller wears?
Stay tuned. In our next article, we’ll break down the difference between nasal dilators and nasal strips, how each one works, and which is better for everyday use or athletic performance.
Citations
Kyro Sports (2025). “It is a mechanical tool that helps in the reduction of nasal airway management problems.”
https://kyrosports.com/why-are-more-and-more-motogp-riders-using-the-noson-nasal-dilator/Jalopnik (2025). “Even if the oxygen gain can’t yet be measured precisely, riders say they can feel the difference.”
https://www.jalopnik.com/1914038/why-do-motogp-riders-tape-their-nose/BBC Future (2025). “The Surprising Power of Breathing Through Your Nose.”
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250507-the-surprising-power-of-breathing-through-your-noseReddit (2025). MotoGP Discussion Thread — “Miller wears these as well.”
https://www.reddit.com/r/motogp/
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