Pol Espargaro thinks ‘superhuman’ Pedro Acosta is ‘on top’ thanks to one change

Acosta got off to a good start in 2026 MotoGP seasonThis includes winning the first Sprint Race in Thailand. “I didn’t feel like a winner,” Acosta said after the Buriram Sprint. He took the lead with a penalty from Marc Marquez, but has since taken two Grand Prix podiums.

Only championship leader Marco Bezecchi has won each of the first three races to take the 2026 Grand Prix podium, while Acosta finished second in Thailand and third in the United States. George Martin has two Grand Prix podiums after two P2s.

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Pol Espargaro thinks Pedro Acosta is ‘at his prime’ after ‘maturity’ in 2026

Acosta finished third in the COTA Sprint without a tire pressure penaltyIt introduced Tech3 driver Enea Bastianini to the rostrum spots, as well. The 21-year-old has only competed so far in Brazil, where he has been the best KTM rider in the Grand Prix so far with P7.

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In the year Espargaro feels the biggest change Acosta has made to climb is the new maturity that has cost the Spaniard 2026, the best KTM rider in 2025. Acosta said he knows he’ll accept the best possible outcome now instead of trying to push and hinder.

“Last year, he had the same speed, or very similar, but he lacked the maturity he showed this season,” Espargaro said. Sports.

“Pedro has reached his peak this season. He knows how to manage his speed – he knows when, how and in which part of the circuit to push. He knows how to put himself in places where he might not be completely happy and he chooses to improve.”

But he knew that was where he stood and that pushing further would risk danger and get him no points.

“He’s very talented. He’s got incredible, almost superhuman talent. That played a bad trick on him last year, but this year he understands the bike better.

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Espargaro is well aware that KTM will need to provide Acosta with a better bike after the April break for the Spaniard to use his impressive skills. Acosta believes the KTM engine lacks power.Especially in Brazil and America, which prevented him from fighting against the Aprilia riders.

KTM teammate Brad Binder revealed after the US GP that there was a lot of chatter from the RC16 during the race, which caught him by surprise, especially at full tilt. Espargaro hopes to upgrade the KTM RC16 quickly to rival Aprilia.

“We’re a bit better than last year,” Espargaro added. “We have more pace, and we’re fighting ahead of the Ducatis.” Unfortunately, Aprilia has taken a big step forward, and they’re a bit ahead of us.

“We still need to work a bit more… little by little the factory is closing the gap. Enya Bastianini’s result shows us that the bike is working well.”

Now, going into the European season, let’s see if we can maintain this level, or if we can step up a bit to close to the Aprilias and fight them on equal footing.