Marco Bezzecchi
Jorge Martinez has praised Pedro Acosta after suggesting he would have preferred to finish behind Marc Marquez in the Sprint at the 2026 Thailand Grand Prix in Buriram.
Acosta scored the first race win of his MotoGP career at the Chang International Circuit last Saturday. But the KTM rider only earned the top step on the Sprint podium as the stewards told Ducati star Marquez to drop a position after causing a collision on the penultimate lap.
Marquez drew the stewards’ wrath in Buriram after forcing Acosta to pick his bike up when he flew down his Spanish compatriot’s inside with a late lunge into the final corner. Acosta was able to avoid the incident ending his Sprint after noticing Marquez at the last moment.
Speaking immediately after the chequered flag, Acosta claimed “I don’t feel like a winner” due to Marquez’s penalty deciding the outcome of the Sprint at the Thailand GP. Martinez admires Acosta’s comment, but also thinks it was likely a sign of their psychological battle.
What are your thoughts on Marc Marquez getting a penalty for this move on Pedro Acosta?
Why Jorge Martinez tips a MotoGP ‘revolution’ following Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta’s duel
How Marquez reacted to Acosta only winning the Sprint Race at the 2026 Thailand GP as he was waved through at the final corner on the final lap, due to the Ducati pilot’s penalty after their incident, also positively “surprised” Spanish motorcycle racing legend ‘Aspar’ Martinez.
READ MORE: Top five Spanish MotoGP riders including Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo
Martinez also thinks Acosta and Marquez’s acts of sportsmanship in a championship defined by ruthless rivalries are great for MotoGP. He believes their growing rivalry was a sign that a “revolution” waits, especially as Marquez and Acosta could be teammates at Ducati in 2027.
“I think it’s very interesting, very exciting,” Martinez told AS. “On Saturday, we already saw a beautiful race between them. We have a whole year ahead to enjoy. But next year, without a doubt, will be a revolution.”
“Not just for the two of them, but for the new regulations and all the new changes that are coming. It seems like a tsunami of changes is on its way.”
Martinez added: “It’s too early to say, but it was definitely a positive surprise how well both of them reacted. I was surprised by their actions.
“I think there’s probably a bit of psychological strategy involved between them, respect and at the same time not wanting to rub salt in the wound.
“There’s a great rivalry, obviously, because they’re both winners. But I think we saw a very nice act of respect on Saturday. And at the same time, a display of psychological control.”
Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta are balancing their rivalry without ‘rubbing salt in the wound’
Was Marc Marquez’s dig at Pedro Acosta really necessary?
Acosta told reporters in Thailand that 'it wasn't a one-day [championship] lead like Marc said'.
Acosta has long been seen as the next Marquez, and he has often blown the paddock away since debuting in Moto3 in 2021 and winning the title as a rookie. He also sealed the 2023 Moto2 title before debuting in MotoGP in 2024, and joining the factory KTM team in 2025.
The competitiveness of the KTM RC16 has often held Acosta back, with the Mazarron native still seeking his first MotoGP Grand Prix victory after now 42 starts. That hunger for success will just make the prospect of a Marquez-Acosta rider line-up at Ducati in 2027 even tastier.
Marquez and Acosta are not yet facing a bitter rivalry, however. The two Spaniards seem, at least for now, eager to balance their battle to the best Spaniard in MotoGP without rubbing salt in the wound, as Martinez notes. The pair fighting for wins will likely test that approach.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
