Marco Bezzecchi
Jorge Lorenzo has high hopes for KTM Tech3 rider Maverick Vinales in 2026 as the pair begin their working relationship.
Lorenzo will serve as the fellow Spaniard’s mentor in 2026 and has already been putting him through his paces in an intense winter programme.
Vinales is determined to fight towards the front of the grid in MotoGP again, having finished no higher than sixth in the standings since 2019. He struggled with injury in his first season at KTM in 2025, finishing down in 18th.
Predict the order of the KTM riders in the 2026 MotoGP standings
But his final position in the championship did not reflect his performances, as he was the first rider to adapt to the RC16 and find the right balance from the machine.
Lorenzo says Vinales needs to be mentally stronger if he wants to become a top rider. He clearly has faith in the Tech3 star, however, given the bet he has made with Albert Valera.
Jorge Lorenzo bets Albert Valera that Maverick Vinales will beat Pedro Acosta in 2026
In 2025, Pedro Acosta was by far the top KTM rider. The 21-year-old finished an impressive fourth in the standings with 12 podiums, including Sprints, in the second half of the season.
Acosta whitewashed teammate Brad Binder in qualifying, with his newfound mentality helping him battle towards the front of the grid. However, he is still waiting for his maiden MotoGP win after two brilliant seasons in the premier class.
The Spaniard is determined to have another strong year in 2026, but he could face tough competition at KTM. Lorenzo has revealed that he has a bet with Acosta’s manager that Vinales will beat him across the season.
He said on journalist Manuel Pecino’s YouTube channel: “I have a bet with Albert Valera, who is Pedro’s manager, that we bet a dinner for each race to see who finishes ahead of the other.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Maverick Vinales from career stats to net worth
‘Tension’ is already brewing between Maverick Vinales and Pedro Acosta
Lorenzo wants Vinales to be KTM’s top rider in 2026. That would mean him dethroning Acosta, which will be no easy task.
But Vinales thinks he can win races with Lorenzo’s help and take the fight to the frontrunners with KTM. With his training, he could become a thorn in Acosta’s side, which may already be unnerving him.
Jorge Lorenzo thinks Maverick Vinales will beat Pedro Acosta in 2026 👀 Who do you back to win the battle?
Lorenzo saw ‘tension’ between Acosta and Vinales at the Sepang test. He thinks the factory KTM rider is worried about his fellow compatriot becoming the manufacturer’s top rider.
It seems that the team are backing the Tech3 rider as well. Some KTM insiders think Vinales will win before Acosta manages to secure his maiden MotoGP victory.
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