Marco Bezzecchi
KTM MotoGP boss Pit Beirer has once again vowed to ‘fight’ to keep Pedro Acosta. Ducati are the overwhelming favourites to sign the Spaniard ahead of 2027.
Acosta delivered yet another stellar weekend in Austin. While a tyre pressure penalty relegated him from third to eighth in the Sprint, he finished on the podium once again in the Grand Prix.
Before the season, it was reported that Acosta’s move to Ducati was a done deal, with the Spaniard in line to replace Francesco Bagnaia and become Marc Marquez’s new teammate. But Beirer’s comments suggest he may not have signed his contract yet.
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Pit Beirer raves about ‘fantastic’ Pedro Acosta as KTM make last-ditch attempt to keep him
MotoGP teams are still negotiating their new commercial agreement for the 2027-2031 window, which may be holding up the rider announcements. Technically, they aren’t committed to racing in the championship yet.
While Beirer didn’t say as much when he spoke to TNT Sports on the US GP grid, it’s clear that Acosta is KTM’s most valued asset. He has scored 60 points in the first three rounds, which puts him third in the championship.
The other three KTM riders have scored 39 combined. While Maverick Vinales’ injury problems may have played a part, it still underlines the brand’s reliance on Acosta’s brilliance.
What does matching Colin Edwards’ record say about Pedro Acosta?
It’s no wonder, then, that Beirer suspects every other team on the grid would be interested.
“He is such a fantastic rider,” he said. “It looks like our bike has a very narrow window. When it’s working well, you can go for a win, then the next days are difficult.
“He’s just giving it all every single day. He made us better, he pushed to give him a better bike.
“For sure, I don’t like to see him talking to other people. But it’s clear that the whole paddock, every manufacturer would make him a proposal, but we want to fight to keep him.”
“We’re going to go all-in, whatever comes. ’26, we’re going to make it our year.”
Francesco Bagnaia has already dealt some bad news to Pit Beirer and KTM
Over the Austin weekend, it emerged that Bagnaia has signed his Aprilia contract. His exit from Ducati is a done deal, which strongly suggests that the Acosta move is set in stone.
Acosta may be above every Ducati in the standings right now, but he is the only KTM competitor in the top 10, while there are four Desmosedici riders in that bracket. It remains a better bike.
Acosta says it would be a ‘dream come true’ to partner Marquez and believes almost every rider on the grid would ‘pay’ to share a garage. Unfortunately for Beirer, it looks like the much-anticipated match-up will materialise for 2027.
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