One MotoGP rider will be ‘ahead’ when ride-height devices are banned, and it’s not Marc Marquez

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MotoGP’s new 2027 regulations will bring a swathe of changes to the prototypes, and one rider has been tipped to benefit from them more than the rest of the grid after his recent heroics.

The pecking order of the grid will be shaken up once the new ruleset comes into effect at the conclusion of the upcoming season in a bid to make the sport safer as bikes get faster and faster with each passing term.

Rider welfare has come under scrutiny in recent races, with a number of unnecessary injuries being caused by the governing body’s negligence of the issues that are being raised in briefings.

‘No one’ is convinced that the 2027 MotoGP bikes will be safer, but what they are convinced of is the possibility of the emergence of a new contender for a premier class title.

READ MORE: Mat Oxley shares what Ducati privately told him about Francesco Bagnaia’s bike after Mandalika struggles

Pedro Acosta has been tipped to be ‘ahead’ of the rest of the grid when ride-height devices are banned in 2027

Pedro Acosta continued his fine form in the current campaign with KTM as he clinched his fourth Grand Prix podium of the season, despite racing atop a sub-optimal bike.

The Spaniard had a trick up his sleeve for Sunday’s race, and it included a bit of help from his engineers at the Austrian constructor. Acosta requested that all devices be stripped from his RC16 ahead of the Grand Prix in a ‘nothing to lose’ gesture that paid off fruitfully.

According to a report from La Gazzetta dello Sport, the move may foreshadow his imminent success in the premier class when considering that ride-height devices will be removed entirely from the grid once the new regulations take effect in 2027.

Acosta managed the full 20-lap race distance without the aids that his rivals had at their disposal, and left a lot of them red-faced because of it.

Dani Pedrosa lauded the feat in an ‘old school’ verdict on Acosta’s riding style. The MotoGP hall of famer highlighted how the young Murcian reminded him of Casey Stoner’s ability to find a natural feeling when racing on two wheels.

READ MORE: Ducati have finally revealed the ‘curse’ that’s ruined Francesco Bagnaia’s 2025 MotoGP season

Pedro Acosta previously revealed his verdict on racing alongside Marc Marquez at Ducati

With the majority of the grid’s contracts with their respective teams up at the end of the 2026 season, it’s likely that we will also see a number of different faces donning some new colours in the MotoGP paddock.

Acosta is one of the names that is likely to be placed above a different garage, and due to his impressive performances during the two seasons he has spent as a premier class rider, he isn’t short of interest from brands up and down the pit lane.

Ducati are understood to be interested in Acosta as their number one candidate to replace the struggling Francesco Bagnaia. The Italian has had a torrid time attempting to replicate the results of Marc Marquez in the past.

The 21-year-old has already given his verdict on how he would match up against the seven-time MotoGP champion, with Acosta confident that he could beat Marquez across a whole season of contests.