Pedro Acosta has shown Jorge Lorenzo the difference between a ‘great rider’ and a ‘great champion’

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Pedro Acosta is one of the brightest young talents on the MotoGP grid, and Jorge Lorenzo has identified how the KTM rider has already shown signs that he is more than just a ‘great rider’.

Despite the fact that he is still on the hunt for his maiden premier class victory, Acosta has been one of the best riders on the MotoGP grid in 2025.

The young Spaniard has shown incredible consistency in his sophomore campaign atop average KTM machinery, which has been illustrated through his multitude of top 10 finishes on the way to finding himself in fifth place in the table.

His championship standing against the rest of the riders within the stable of the Austrian constructor has shown how capable Acosta is to challenge for the 2026 MotoGP title.

Acosta is currently the only KTM rider in the top 10, with Brad Binder serving as the closest rival down in 12th.

READ MORE: Pedro Acosta is doing something on his bike that reminds his KTM colleague of Valentino Rossi

Jorge Lorenzo highlights how Pedro Acosta has demonstrated that he is a ‘phenomenal’ MotoGP rider

In an interview with Diario AS, three-time MotoGP title-winner Jorge Lorenzo was asked a number of questions regarding the most prominent rival of his premier class career, Marc Marquez.

With the current Ducati rider emerging onto the scene in dominant fashion in 2013, Acosta’s name was mentioned after Lorenzo was questioned on how difficult it was to beat the now 32-year-old rider in his debut campaign.

He said: “From the beginning, extremely difficult. It’s true that perhaps in terms of experience and speed, both Dani [Pedrosa] and I had a little more than him in 2013, but we had more injuries, we lost a lot of points due to injuries, and he was a bit more consistent, which helped him win on his first try.

“But the simple fact of winning on his first try already demonstrates his incredible talent, and on top of that, he won his first race in the second round of the championship, in Austin. It’s incredible.

“He also made the podium in his first race. Only exceptional riders do those things. We’ve seen Acosta, also last year in his debut, make the podium in his third or fourth race, and Acosta is considered one of the phenomena, isn’t he? Despite this KTM that doesn’t help him.

“[Casey] Stoner also took pole position in his second race, Valentino [Rossi] was runner-up in his first year… The phenomenal riders demonstrate it from the beginning.

“That’s why there’s that difference I was telling you about between a great rider and a great champion.”

READ MORE: Pedro Acosta publicly explains why he tried to find a way out of KTM for the 2026 MotoGP season

Rumours of a potential exit from KTM for Pedro Acosta are hotting up

Given his impressive performances since day one in MotoGP, the young Murcian rider has been highly tipped as being the main man to beat in seasons to come.

However, KTM currently don’t look like they’re able to give him the optimal tools for him to mount a genuine championship challenge, which has sparked rumours of Acosta leaving for greener pastures.

Acosta is ‘obsessed’ with Ducati, according to Spanish journalist Manuel Pecino, but the prospect of them putting their efforts behind him in the future may be slim due to their faith in fellow youngster Fermin Aldeguer.

With the 21-year-old’s talents tied up with KTM until the end of the 2026 season, he may actually get his way for the 2027 season.

VR46 boss Uccio Salucci has openly admitted how Acosta is a priority for the Ducati satellite team. With Fabio Giannantonio currently receiving factory support from them at the Italian team, it’s possible that Acosta could also find himself on a works-spec bike if he does make the move.