Marco Bezzecchi
Pedro Acosta had a promising week at the 2026 Sepang test, as the KTM rider got to grips with a new part on his bike that Ducati wanted MotoGP to ban over the winter.
The 21-year-old regularly ranked among the fastest riders in Malaysia, and even finished the final day with one of the strongest averages amid the Sprint Race simulations. Acosta set the fourth-best average lap time amid the Sprint runs, albeit 0.648s shy of the best, at 1:58.676.
Gresini racer Alex Marquez had the strongest average Sprint pace during the 10-lap runs on Thursday at 1:58.028, ahead of factory Ducati pilots Francesco Bagnaia (1:58.166) and Marc Marquez (1:58.289). Tech3’s Enea Bastianini was the only other KTM rider inside the top 10.
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Pedro Acosta is ‘very happy’ with KTM’s leg wings at the 2026 Sepang test
It is impossible to truly compare lap times during testing due to teams running different fuel loads and settings on their bikes. But the Sepang test proved to be an encouraging week for Acosta, as he could really notice the difference that KTM’s new leg wings made on his RC16.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Pedro Acosta from net worth to girlfriend
KTM have taken inspiration from the leg wings that Aprilia and later Honda utilised last year by introducing aerodynamic appendages behind riders’ legs on the side of the seat. That is according to Jack Appleyard, who believes KTM have shown the most progress in Malaysia.
“KTM have made some strides forward, in particular,” Appleyard said on MotoGP’s Midday Live. “They have managed to add the leg wings, the side attachments that Aprilia were famed for having halfway through last year.
“Pedro Acosta, in particular, [is] very happy with that. [He] can feel a real difference on the bike and likes that addition, as well as reshaping and reforming the rear seat unit. So, KTM have been hard at work.”
Ducati wanted MotoGP to ban leg wings after seeing Aprilia use them in 2025
Reports in Italy over the winter noted rumours that Ducati wanted MotoGP to ban Aprilia’s leg wings, after seeing their Italian rival and later Honda make strides in that area. Yet plans to outlaw the leg wings fell through, as MotoGP could not identify any objective safety risks.
Alex Marquez tops the final day of the Sepang test! Are you expecting any changes to this order in Buriram? 🤔
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The potential safety concerns owing to the leg wings arose following the 2025 post-season Valencia test, with suggestions that the part could see riders become attached to their bike after a crash. But with no evidence to support the claims, the FIM allowed the part to stay.
As MotoGP is overhauling the regulations already in 2027 with 850cc bikes and banning ride height devices, the FIM is expected to revisit the leg wings. But Acosta will hope KTM’s new leg wings can allow him to fight Ducati in 2026 and get closer to taking his first MotoGP win.
The 21-year-old arrived in Malaysia amid an array of claims that he has agreed to join Ducati for the 2027 MotoGP season. It is thought that Ducati are on the cusp of signing Acosta on a two-year contract, as the Spaniard has lost patience with KTM’s ability to develop the RC16.
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