Pedro Acosta suffered another ‘very worrying’ KTM issue which plagued Jack Miller in 2024

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KTM were quiet during MotoGP’s slate of pre-season testing at both Sepang and Buriram but appeared to struggle at stages.

They welcomed young star Pedro Acosta to their factory bike, and he managed fourth on the final day of testing before the Grand Prix of Thailand season-opener.

It’s a nervy time for KTM, who are awaiting the decision of creditors regarding a restructuring plan they have put together to tackle £1.8 billion in debts.

The Austrian outfit had the second-fastest bike in MotoGP last season but may struggle to compete and bring developments this year with their financial constraints.

Acosta shared a worrying KTM verdict ahead of 2025 after struggling to understand why he struggled throughout pre-season testing.

After arriving in Buriram, KTM took an ‘unprecedented’ step with MotoGP media by introducing a blackout amid their financial crisis. A worrying sign for their fans.

Pedro Acosta suffered a repeat of KTM’s ‘very worrying’ tyre issue in testing

Acosta may be facing a ‘rider safety issue’ on his KTM bike after complaints over his rear tyre in Buriram, which was burning out from the centre.

It was an issue they faced last year with current Pramac rider Jack Miller as well, their winter developments do not appear to have addressed the issue.

READ MORE: KTM are now facing ‘horrific’ MotoGP issue amid media blackout at testing

Peter Bom has offered a hypothesis for the issue which he noticed on social media, which hampered both riders.

“Another example of how difficult it can be is KTM. You probably see in the pictures in social media from Binder’s,” he said.

“He tried the long run, but he had to come in because the tyre was completely [ruined]. It was gone, there was nothing. It was a car tyre to look at it. That’s very, very worrying because exactly one year ago in the race, Miller was complaining a lot about the bike.

“[He] kept on spinning in a straight line, he kept on spinning, fourth gear, fifth gear. That is like the engine characteristic, the weight distribution.”

Enea Bastianini fears KTM are ‘missing something’ after MotoGP testing

The acquisition of Enea Bastianini as a full-time Tech3 rider for 2025 was a positive move for KTM, who can listen to the feedback and experience from an ex-Ducati factory man.

It means that he rode the bike which claimed the riders’ championship in dominant style last year and will be partly used again for the next two seasons amid an engine freeze.

Bastianini fears KTM are ‘missing something’ after testing and was confused as to why they lacked speed so much after Sepang in particular.

READ MORE: Maverick Vinales has ‘a problem’ at KTM Tech3 after comparing Sepang Test to Pedro Acosta

It could be track-specific, as the Malaysian circuit offers plenty of unique challenges, but it’s worrying that they have struggled at all.

With both factory KTM and Tech3 riders on the same machinery this season, it means that they will have to work around the clock to rectify their issues or risk falling down the pecking order.