KTM have been fighting tooth and nail to keep Pedro Acosta in the team, which will hurt the rest of the MotoGP riders.
Pedro Acosta More than sub-optimal performance KTM In the year Despite reports suggesting he will be a factory Ducati rider in 2027, machinery in recent years has seen him move into the new season as the Austrian manufacturer’s flagship.
The emergence of the KTM outlet comes several months after the Spaniard expressed his displeasure with the outfit’s prototype.
Acosta was heavily involved in the transition to Ducati machinery with the VR46. In the past, many riders have threatened to breach contracts early, only to be banned by the sport’s governing body.
As the youngster looks for greener pastures, KTM engineers have been working hard to resolve the many issues he has reported over the past 12 months, which has caused some frustration among other riders under the factory team’s umbrella.
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Ine Bastianini urges KTM to look beyond prioritizing Pedro Acosta in 2027 MotoGP season
In an interview with journalists on the eve of the opening of the MotoGP 2026 season. Grand Prix of Thailand, Tech3 Star Ine Bastianini At the moment, Acosta pointed out how he is favored in the KTM stable.
“It’s very easy to focus on the fastest rider,” Bastinini began Speed ​​week. “Pedro is the fastest at the moment, and KTM is working hard for him.
“From the manufacturer’s point of view, this is the right thing. But we are four different riders, and each of us has a riding style, everyone needs something different.”
Asked what was the biggest problem with the 2026-spec RC16, the Italian rider replied: “My bike is unstable on the straights, the front wheel floats up a bit, and when I touch the road it gets very nervous.
But I think we’ve been able to improve this a bit, because it’s not common. Much less happened last year. We need to find a solution to this, because it is critical.
Acosta is optimistic about his chances. After the pre-season test at Buriram for the upcoming season, the Austrian developer showed that the Spaniard has made some progress in areas where he had problems in Sebang.
Tell the order of the KTM riders in the 2026 MotoGP rankings
KTM employees think Maverick Vinales will beat Pedro Acosta in the 2026 MotoGP season
The Spaniard’s presence as KTM’s lead rider angered the team’s other factory-backed riders.
Jorge Lorenzo saw more tension than usual between Acosta and Maverick Vinales At the MotoGP pre-race test at Sepang, the veteran saw his position with the help of the three-time world champion’s advice.
In fact KTM employees believe that Vinales will beat Acosta In a head-to-head battle with equal machinery this season, Lorenzo is also reported to have placed a bet with the 21-year-old manager on who will come out on top.
It should be a fascinating narrative to keep an eye on as the campaign unfolds. Vinales is expected to fill Acosta’s seat At the time he reported his move to Borgo Panigale, so it could be a sign of things to come next season as well.
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