Marco Bezzecchi
A genuine title challenge for Pedro Acosta has been brewing since he entered MotoGP at the start of 2024. Honda boss Alberto Puig thinks it’s only a matter of time before the KTM star proves to be successful after comparing him with a select few legends of the sport.
Now in his third season of racing in the premier class, it’s no secret at all that Pedro Acosta is one of the most exciting young talents on the grid right now.
Each passing campaign has seen the 21-year-old bolster his skillset, with Acosta’s recent victory in the Thailand Grand Prix Sprint marking his first race win in MotoGP across all formats.
A trip to the top of the Grand Prix podium has yet to come, though, and it also remains to be seen how Acosta deals with a title fight in the premier class.
Saying that, the young Murcian is already a two-time world champion from his time in the Moto2 and Moto3 categories, and his race craft has already caught the eye of one team boss who now holds him in high esteem to his competitors.
- READ MORE: Pedro Acosta admits ‘I don’t feel like a winner’ as Marc Marquez penalty decided the Buriram Sprint
Who will be the next ‘Fantastic Four’?
Alberto Puig thinks Pedro Acosta’s skillset puts him in a select group of MotoGP legends
In a recent interview with Diario AS, Honda boss Alberto Puig shared his thoughts on where Acosta now stands among MotoGP’s most legendary riders.
After being reminded of his previous comments regarding the young Spaniard being a reincarnation of Casey Stoner’s abilities, Puig added, “I think everyone here is brave, and there are no cowards.
“The people who ride motorcycles here are brave people. The thing is, I always have a saying about special riders, and there are very few of those.”
He was then asked if he would now include Acosta within said ‘special’ group of riders, one that consists of Stoner, Marc Marquez, Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa, simply replying, “Yes.”
The Catalan-native then elaborated with, “The thing is that you asked me about recent times, and I have worked with all the ones mentioned.
“With Pedrosa, with Stoner, with Marc and with Jorge, and these riders for me, it’s not because I’ve worked with them, it’s because, damn, they were very, very, very, very good, each with their own style. That’s the best there’s ever been for me in history, really.”
Neil Hodgson compared Acosta to Rossi during his highly impressive race weekend at the most recent Thailand Grand Prix.
The KTM star emerged from the 2026 season-opener as the championship leader for the first time in his career, and will be hoping that the RC16 can carry him to a first Grand Prix victory following his feat in the Buriram Sprint.
- READ MORE: Giacomo Agostini says Pedro Acosta’s rumoured Ducati move will give Marc Marquez ‘extra motivation’
Will Pedro Acosta become Marc Marquez’s toughest teammate?
Pedro Acosta’s real test in MotoGP will be when he partners Marc Marquez at Ducati in 2027
Due to his frustrations with KTM over the last 12 months, it emerged that Acosta had signed an agreement to join Ducati for MotoGP’s new regulatory era in 2027.
While the move is yet to receive official confirmation, it would mark the biggest test of the 21-year-old’s career to date.
Ducati were rumoured to be concerned over any potential friction between Acosta and Marquez due to their highly ambitious natures, but the KTM star put any qualms to bed after stating that learning from the very best ‘wouldn’t hurt anyone’.
It would certainly be a fascinating intra-team battle to see Acosta and Marquez go at it on the prototypes that are manufactured in Borgo Panigale.
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