Marco Bezzecchi
Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder are about to embark upon their second season as MotoGP teammates. They have been KTM’s top two riders since 2024, when Acosta broke into the class with Tech3.
That year, Binder beat the Spaniard by just two points in the championship. Acosta’s sophomore leap was too much for his KTM rivals, though.
Acosta scored 307 points en route to fourth in the standings, seven spots ahead of nearest challenger Binder. The other three RC16 riders only managed 299 points combined.
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While Acosta’s 2025 battle with Binder was extremely one-sided, the youngster’s admiration for his veteran teammate is obvious.
Pedro Acosta ‘didn’t understand’ Brad Binder’s late braking
When Acosta made his debut with Tech3, Binder and Jack Miller were KTM’s factory riders. He found it ‘quite tough’ to keep up with the race-winning duo at first.
Acosta, who scored two podiums in his first three premier-class starts, was more explosive than Binder, but less stable. He notched four retirements to Binder’s one over the course of the season.
In a video that was recorded at KTM’s 2026 bike launch, Acosta admitted that he ‘didn’t understand’ how Binder and Miller were braking so deep into corners.
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“When I arrived two years ago to the class, it was quite interesting to learn from you and Jack how to become faster as soon as I can,” he said, via MotoGP’s official channels. “It was quite cool to learn from you boys, and quite tough at the beginning.
Binder replied: “It didn’t take you too long, though!”
Acosta then said: “Quite a bit, I didn’t understand how to brake that far!”
2026 will likely be the last year of the Acosta/Binder duo, with Maverick Vinales expected to join KTM next year.
Acosta is likely to ride a Ducati instead, while Binder is fighting to stay in the championship.
Brad Binder on studying ‘ultra-clean’ KTM test rider Dani Pedrosa
Acosta and Binder were asked which riders had taught them most during their careers.
Binder pointed to Miguel Oliveira, having raced alongside the Portuguese in all three Grand Prix classes. Oliveira has moved to World Superbikes for 2026 after losing his Pramac seat.
The ‘ultra-clean’ style of Dani Pedrosa also inspires Binder. Pedrosa has retired from full-time racing but still offers valuable data as a test rider for KTM.
“If I think back to Moto3 and Moto2, I always learned a lot from Miguel,” Binder said. “Miguel was a good reference for me.
“One of the guys I’ve always enjoyed looking at the data is Pedrosa, for sure, because he’s that ultra-clean, doesn’t do anything wrong kind of rider. Somehow, he still brakes so late, so fast and yeah, he’s super cool to look at.”
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