Jorge Lorenzo has high hopes for KTM Tech3 rider Maverick Vinales in 2026 as the pair begin their working relationship.
Lorenzo In the year He will serve as the Spaniard’s mentor in 2026 and is already putting him through a tough winter schedule.
Vinyls In the year Having finished higher than sixth in the standings from 2019, he is determined to fight his way back to the front of the grid. He struggled with injuries in his first season. KTM In the year In 2025, it finished in 18th place.
But the last place in the championship did not reflect his performances, because he is the first rider to adapt to the RC16 and find the right balance from the machine.
Lorenzo Vinales says he must be mentally strong. If he wants to be a top rider. He clearly has faith in him. Tech3 Star, however, given the bet he did with Albert Valera.
Jorge Lorenzo Albert Valera is betting that Maverick Vinales will beat Pedro Acosta in 2026.
By 2025 Pedro Acosta He was the highest KTM rider ever. The 21-year-old scored 12 podiums in the second half of the season, including sprints, to finish an impressive fourth.
Acosta’s teammate Brad Binder wore white at the screeninghelped him fight his way to the front of the grid with his new mindset. However, he is still waiting for his first MotoGP victory after two excellent seasons in the premier class.
The Spaniard is determined to have another strong year in 2026 but could face tough competition from KTM. Lorenzo Vinales has revealed that he has a bet with Acosta’s manager that he will win all season.
He told the reporter. Manuel Pesino’s YouTube channelI have a bet with Albert Valera, who is Pedro’s manager, that for each race we would have a bet over dinner to see who finished ahead of the other.
Read more: Everything you need to know about Maverick Vinales from career stats to net worth
‘Tension’ is brewing between Maverick Vinales and Pedro Acosta.
Lorenzo Vinales wants to be KTM’s top rider In 2026. That means he will dethrone Acosta, which will not be an easy task.
But Vinales thinks he can win races with the help of Lorenzo And take the fight to the front-runners with KTM. In training, he could be Acosta’s thorn in the side, which could already trip him up.
Lorenzo sees ‘tension’ between Acosta and Vinales. At the Sepang test. The factory KTM rider thinks his countryman could be a manufacturer’s elite rider.
The team seems to be supporting the Tech3 rider as well. some KTM insiders think Vinales will win before Acosta He managed to secure his first MotoGP victory.
