“We’re eagerly anticipating witnessing a talent of [Acosta’s] caliber express himself on the unique circuit of Portimao, where he claimed victory last season in Moto2.”
Following his impressive MotoGP debut in Qatar, highlighted by a daring overtake on Marc Marquez for fourth place during the race, GASGAS Tech3 is eagerly anticipating seeing rookie Pedro Acosta “express himself” on the challenging Portimao circuit this upcoming weekend.
Acosta handled his premier-class debut with ease, securing a direct entry into Qualifying 2 with a sixth-place finish after a disrupted practice schedule due to rain, ultimately qualifying eighth.
During the Sprint race, the young Spanish rider climbed from outside the top ten to finish eighth before launching into an aggressive charge in the main event. Starting tenth after the first lap, Acosta swiftly passed Aleix Espargaro and Fabio di Giannantonio, followed by both Marquez brothers, Alex and Marc.
His confidence was palpable as he skillfully maneuvered his RC16, sliding the front and rear in spectacular fashion. However, his spirited riding style took a toll on his tire wear, causing him to drop back to eighth place later in the race.
The upcoming round in Portimao presents a fresh challenge, especially without a test session prior to the race weekend unlike in Qatar. However, it’s a track that Acosta enjoys, having clinched victory in Moto2 last season alongside his impressive rookie Moto3 campaign in 2021.
“Portimao is a circuit that I really like, and after a positive start in Qatar, we’re feeling confident,” Acosta remarked. “The main goal is to continue adapting to the bike and the category, aiming to maintain the momentum from Qatar.
“That means having a strong Friday and Saturday to position ourselves well for the sprint race and main event. I’m excited to ride the MotoGP bike at this circuit.”
Tech3 team manager Nicolas Goyon is eager to witness Acosta’s performance after his stellar debut, describing it as a “dream” start.
“One week ago, we departed from Qatar after an exceptional opening round where we witnessed our rookie Pedro Acosta shining throughout the weekend,” remarked Goyon. “He made it to Q2 after Practice, earned his first points in the Tissot Sprint, and wrapped up the weekend with a remarkable top 10 finish in the main race, a feat not seen from a rookie since 2021.
“At Red Bull GASGAS Tech3, we’re eagerly anticipating watching a talent like him unleash his potential on the unique circuit of Portimao, where he claimed victory last season in Moto2.”
On the other hand, Acosta’s teammate Augusto Fernandez finished in 17th place in Qatar, but Goyon is optimistic about his progress with the latest RC16 featuring a carbon fiber chassis.
“Augusto Fernandez is beginning to feel more at ease on the bike, and the Qatar race marked his best feeling since the start of 2024,” Goyon stated. “We are aware that he will approach this first European round with the positives from Qatar, aiming to return to where he belongs.”
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