Marc Marquez deliberately stayed at the Italian GP so Pedro Acosta could ‘learn’.

Marquez was completely unfit Returning from two surgeries at Mugello, however, he used the Ducati’s high straight-line speed to overtake Acosta repeatedly in the race to turn one.

Pedro Acosta: I wanted to learn how to manage tires.

to speak DAZN After the race, Acosta said he deliberately stayed behind Marquez for ‘several laps’ to keep an eye on the reigning champion.

Acosta finished a disappointing eighth at Mugello last year after suffering from flat tires and will be keen to see how he fares. Marquez Michelin rubber was waiting.

He also knew that being aggressive would keep him out in the final laps and perhaps given his current lack of fitness, Marquez would tire.

Tell us how much you enjoyed the Mugello race!

Acosta held the wheel longer than usual, but he has work to do on his repeated weaknesses after losing to Ogura and Di Giantantonio.

“I work a little bit harder,” he explained. “Since joining Ducati, Marc has been smoother and more composed. I wanted to learn how to manage the tyres.

“It’s the first time I’ve been able to catch three laps to go. Then I’m in the same old rut.”

Pedro Acosta agrees with Marc Marquez about Mugello battle.

Marquez praised Acosta After the race, he admitted that he only kept going because he had better machinery than his 2027 team-mate.

Acosta admits he was hurt by the lack of power and wants KTM to investigate.

“We know we lack top speed,” he told the written media, including Speed ​​week. “We need to know why. Things were better after Brazil and America.”

Elsewhere on KTM, Acosta factory team-mate Brad Binder finished 11th, while Innea Bastianini crashed and Maverick Vinales came home 17th.