Marco Bezzecchi
Pol Espargaro thinks KTM rider Pedro Acosta is now close to being in his “prime”, after adding maturity to his “almost superhuman” skill aboard the RC16 in the 2026 season.
KTM test rider Espargaro believes Acosta has not found any more speed on the RC16 so far this season compared to what he showed after joining the Austrian brand’s factory team in 2025. But he thinks Acosta worked on himself and is now a far more well-rounded product.
Acosta has enjoyed a great start to the 2026 MotoGP season, which included taking his first Sprint Race win in Thailand. Acosta did not “feel like a winner” after the Buriram Sprint as he got the lead due to Marc Marquez’s penalty, but he has since taken two Grand Prix podiums.
Only championship leader Marco Bezzecchi, as he has won each of the first three races, has taken more Grand Prix podiums so far in 2026 than Acosta, who finished second in Thailand and third in the United States. Jorge Martin also has two Grand Prix podiums, after two P2s.
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Pol Espargaro thinks Pedro Acosta is almost in his ‘prime’ after finding ‘maturity’ in 2026
Acosta would have finished third in the COTA Sprint without his tyre pressure penalty, which promoted Tech3 rider Enea Bastianini into the rostrum spots, as well. The 21-year-old has so far only struggled in Brazil, when he was by far the best KTM rider with P7 in the Grand Prix.
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Espargaro feels the biggest change that Acosta has made to emerge as clearly the best KTM rider in 2026 has been his newfound maturity, which had cost the Spaniard in 2025. He says Acosta now knows to accept the best result possible, instead of trying to push and crashing.
“Last year, he had the same pace, or very similar, but he lacked the maturity he has shown this season,” Espargaro told SPORT.
“Pedro is reaching a point this season where he is in his prime. He knows how to manage the pace – when, how and at which part of the circuit he needs to push. He knows how to settle for positions that he might not be entirely happy with and would prefer to improve.
“But he knows that’s where he stands and that pushing further would risk a crash, and mean he wouldn’t score any points.
“He’s very capable. He has an incredible, almost superhuman, talent. That played a nasty trick on him last year, but this year he’s understanding the bike much better.”
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Espargaro is well aware that KTM must give Acosta a better bike after the April break for his Spanish compatriot to exploit his incredible abilities. Acosta believes KTM’s engine is lacking power, which particularly stopped him from fighting the Aprilia riders in Brazil and the USA.
Works KTM teammate Brad Binder also revealed after the United States GP that he had a lot of chatter from his RC16 during the race, which was especially troublesome on full lean and caught him by surprise. Espargaro hopes KTM can improve the RC16 quickly to rival Aprilia.
“We’re a bit better off than last year,” Espargaro added. “We have more speed, and we are constantly battling ahead of the Ducatis. Unfortunately, Aprilia have taken a huge step forward, and they’ve pulled a bit ahead of us.
“We still need to work a little more… Little by little, the factory are closing the gap. Enea Bastianini’s result shows us that the bike is performing well.
“Now, as we head into the European season, let’s see if we can maintain this level, or even raise it a bit further to close in on the Aprilias and fight them on equal terms.”
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