Pedro Acosta achieved a remarkable feat in his MotoGP career by securing a place on the podium at the Portuguese Grand Prix. This impressive achievement overshadowed his lack of experience with the unique MotoGP weekend format at the Portimão track, which had not been tested by the riders. As a rookie on his particular KTM, Acosta outperformed the factory KTMs and even a six-time MotoGP champion, showcasing his exceptional skills on the bike.
Acosta’s performance in the Saturday sprint race was in line with expectations, as he trailed behind the factory KTMs. However, he managed to outshine his main rival, Aleix Espargaro, in the battle for seventh place. Espargaro acknowledged Acosta’s exceptional talent and expressed his surprise at the rookie’s speed and control on the bike.
Furthermore, Espargaro highlighted the competitiveness of the KTM bike, as Acosta immediately fought for the win. Acosta’s domination over the established RC16 riders in Portimão, combined with KTM’s steady progress in MotoGP, indicates that Acosta’s natural progression could significantly boost the team’s performance.
Even Jack Miller, who was overtaken by Acosta after a collision with Brad Binder, recognized the rookie’s exceptional performance. Miller and Binder were unable to catch Acosta, despite their best efforts. Binder was impressed by Acosta’s ability to control the bike and maintain high speed in corners, praising him and admitting that Acosta deserved the podium spot.
Binder, who has always had strong teammates, acknowledged the value of having Acosta by his side. He believes that their partnership will drive the team forward and lead to further improvements in their performance.
Jorge Martin, the winner of the Portuguese Grand Prix, compared Acosta’s MotoGP debut to his own experience. Martin highlighted their similar beginnings, with both riders impressing in their debut in Qatar and immediately securing a place on the podium. Although Martin suffered a serious injury in Portimão in his debut season, he believes that Acosta’s talent and potential are undeniable.
While Acosta’s progress in MotoGP cannot be guaranteed, Binder emphasized that it is not always a linear journey. Unexpected challenges and surprises will certainly arise along the way. However, Binder also acknowledged that the current MotoGP landscape is more demanding for newcomers compared to when he started.
Considering Acosta’s remarkable talent and potential, it is reasonable to expect him to continue improving throughout the season. Even a small improvement in lap times could lead to victories in the remaining races of 2024, establishing Acosta and the KTM bike as serious contenders for the championship in 2025.
