Marco Bezzecchi
Pedro Acosta is about to start only his second season in MotoGP as a likely outside contender to win the 2025 riders’ championship having joined KTM Factory Racing.
The 20-year-old left KTM with no choice but to release Jack Miller and promote Acosta from Tech3 to partner Brad Binder with his remarkable rookie campaign last term. On the back of winning the 2021 Moto3 and 2023 Moto2 titles, Acosta took sixth in the MotoGP standings.
Only two points stopped Acosta from finishing 2024 as the top KTM name, as well, as Binder moved back ahead at the season-ending Solidarity Grand Prix. Now, as a works racer, Acosta will be a contender to take the riders’ title off Jorge Martin after joining Aprilia from Pramac.
Martin’s switch to Aprilia leaves factory Ducati pair Francesco Bagnaia plus Marc Marquez as the outright favourites to win the 2025 riders’ title. Valentino Rossi has picked Bagnaia as his favourite for the 2025 MotoGP title, as well, but Acosta may yet be in the running with KTM.
Pedro Acosta wants ‘as little contact as possible’ with Jorge Martin
Acosta taking the riders’ championship and the No1 plate off Martin’s hands would also add another layer to their relationship. The Mazarron native has noted that he now tries to have ‘as little contact as possible’ with Martin as their bond changed with Acosta also in MotoGP.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Pedro Acosta from net worth to girlfriend
The two Spaniards’ paths had never crossed on a track before 2024, with Martin making his MotoGP debut in 2021 as Acosta made his world championship debut in Moto3. But racing at the same level changed their relationship following some close battles throughout 2024.
“I get on better with Martin but I try to have as little contact as possible,” KTM rider Acosta shared on La Revuelta. “We had a good relationship until I raced against him. I like him but without feelings”
More fireworks between Pedro Acosta and Jorge Martin should follow in 2025
Acosta wasted no time to prove he could compete in MotoGP last season and gave Martin a run for the Madrid native’s money as early as the Grand Prix of the Americas in round three. Every time Martin tried an overtake, Acosta was quick to snap back to finish in second place.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Jorge Martin from net worth to girlfriend
The Grand Prix of Aragon would not have helped their relationship much, either. Martin ran Acosta off the road trying an overtake into the reverse corkscrew en route to them finishing on the podium behind Marquez in P2 and P3. Fireworks ought to be expected in 2025, too.
Yet after KTM gave Acosta a two-season, £400k-a-year contract to move from Tech3, it has not been the perfect start. Pre-season testing was not perfect and Acosta reluctantly admits KTM still have a chatter issue which could hinder any title chances the rising star might hold.
As Acosta is also still yet to win a Grand Prix in MotoGP, the Spaniard will hope the Austrian squad can get on top of their problems quickly. But Acosta tried to hide his disappointment with KTM’s bike during the Sepang Test, suggesting they may struggle early in the season.
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