Discussion surrounds Pedro Acosta’s “superstar” status as he emerges as KTM’s most in-form rider.
There’s speculation that not everyone within the KTM factory MotoGP team will be pleased with Pedro Acosta’s exceptional form.
KTM made significant changes to their rider lineup, demoting Pol Espargaro to a testing role when rising Moto2 star Acosta insisted on moving up to the premier class this season.
Competing for Tech3 GASGAS, Acosta has vindicated KTM’s decision with a string of remarkable performances, establishing himself as KTM’s quickest and most impressive rider.
Michael Laverty, analyzing on TNT Sports after the Americas MotoGP, remarked, “It will be challenging for the KTM factory team to accept seeing Pedro on the podium twice.”
He added, “Jack Miller had a strong race but then slipped back. We’re aware that Brad Binder had a difficult weekend, perhaps hindered by his broken toe. Acosta is undoubtedly a standout talent.”
“So, the GASGAS team and Herve Poncharal are absolutely thrilled. We’ve got fast Aprilias, fast KTMs, and fast GASGASs. While we’re still lacking in terms of fast Japanese bikes, we have three Europeans lighting up the track.”
Acosta made history as the third-youngest rider ever to stand on the MotoGP podium in Portimao and repeated the achievement at the Circuit of the Americas.
At just 19 years old, it’s not only his riding style but also his charismatic personality that has captured attention.
KTM has had to refute rumors of promoting Acosta to their factory team mid-season. Pit Beirer, their motorsport director, acknowledged that contractually, the factory has the flexibility to swap riders between their two teams at any time.
However, he dismissed any plans to demote either Binder or Miller in favor of Acosta.
Such a dramatic mid-season switch would resemble Red Bull F1 team’s decision to promote a teenage Max Verstappen to their main car midway through 2016, a move that paid off significantly.
While Red Bull and KTM have close ties, they currently have no intention to replicate the F1 team’s decision, despite its success.
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