One MotoGP rider is privately determined to prove Pedro Acosta isn’t the ‘world’s star’ after seeing media hype

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Pedro Acosta is the rising star in MotoGP, with many likening him to the ‘next Marc Marquez’ in the sport.

Acosta hates the comparisons to Marquez, stating that people expect too much of him. But with his performances in the premier class, it is not hard to see why these links are being made.

Winning the Moto2 title in 2023, the 20-year-old grabbed five podiums and finished sixth in his maiden MotoGP season with Tech3 the next year.

Acosta moved to the factory KTM team for 2025, with high hopes for a successful season. However, the manufacturer’s financial woes over the winter period have created a frustrating atmosphere on and off the track.

The Spaniard has had multiple accidents this season as he struggles with chatter on his RC16. Acosta does not care that he is crashing as he vents his frustrations at KTM’s situation.

Improvements have been made in the last few rounds, with the 20-year-old missing out on a podium at the French Grand Prix last weekend. Acosta lamented a ‘bad decision’ from the team with tyres, as his medium rear had no grip left to defend third from Fermin Aldeguer.

Fermin Aldeguer has ‘extra motivation’ to prove Pedro Acosta is not the ‘world’s star’ in MotoGP

The Gresini rider had a sensational weekend at Le Mans, finishing third in the Sprint and the main race. Crew chief Frankie Carchedi saluted Aldeguer for his performance on social media as he is starting to show great signs of pace in the premier class.

Born in the same region of Spain, Aldeguer and Acosta are the two future stars of MotoGP, with the latter slightly ahead, having already had a season under his belt. The pair grew up racing together, with Aldeguer finishing 120.5 points behind Acosta in Moto2 in 2023.

The pair have grown apart in recent years, however. Aldeguer is distancing himself from Acosta due to a clash of personalities, but the KTM rider may be giving him ‘extra motivation’ to perform.

Speaking via Duralavita, Ruben Xaus suspects Aldeguer is privately determined to prove to everyone that Acosta is not the ‘world’s star’ in MotoGP: “And an extra motivation that is Pedro Acosta, because the same thing happens with Zarco and Quartararo in France,” he said.

“Acosta now seems like he’s the world’s star, and he is, but let’s not forget that Fermin is at a certain level today and with a good bike and a well-positioned future right now

“So what happens now? Is Fermin very small compared to Acosta? So it’s the motivation, I also believe, that Fermin has when he sees it every day.”

READ MORE: Everything to know about Pedro Acosta from net worth to girlfriend

KTM must improve the RC16 to keep Pedro Acosta on board for 2026

Le Mans was a step in the right direction for KTM as they finally showed strong signs of performance. The manufacturer have been slowly progressing after a difficult start, with all four riders finishing in the top 10 at Jerez.

Acosta admits he is looking up to Maverick Vinales, with the Tech3 rider proving to be the lead rider in recent weeks. The fellow Spaniard seems best accustomed to the RC16, coming close to winning in Qatar before he was penalised for a tyre pressure infringement.

But improvements still need to be made, with Acosta saying KTM must qualify better to be competitive in 2025. Rumours have been swirling that the 20-year-old is considering his future at the manufacturer; they must improve the bike to keep him on board.

Honda have been heavily linked with the KTM rider, but after Jorge Martin announced his intentions to leave Aprilia, VR46 are in pole position to sign Acosta, with Ducati being his preference.