Marc Marquez’s embarrassing Italian GP overtake on Pedro Acosta sums up why he is leaving KTM

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Pedro Acosta continues to work miracles on the KTM RC16, as he came home sixth at the Italian Grand Prix. He arguably deserved better, but his bike’s lack of power is exactly why he is leaving in 2027.

The Spaniard has constantly complained about the RC16’s pace deficit to the rest of the field. Acosta said the bike is costing everyone at KTM after he finished ninth in the Sprint race.

The 21-year-old showed off his braking strength during the Italian Grand Prix, battling hard with Marc Marquez for fourth place. Acosta’s talent was keeping him in contention, but he could only do so much with his bike’s lack of pace on the straights.

Pedro Acosta’s alarming pace deficit to Marc Marquez is why he is leaving KTM for Ducati

On lap eight, Acosta was ahead of Marquez heading down the main straight. It was here that the RC16’s lack of power was exposed, as the Ducati rider flew past him into turn one.

Gresini rider Fermin Aldeguer pulled alongside his fellow compatriot, bringing them three-wide on the straight. He could not make the move stick on Acosta at the first corner, only to lunge past him into turn two, demoting the KTM star to P6 in a flash.

His quality in braking is unquestionable, but with a bike that is so embarrassingly slow, Acosta can only do so much. It is exactly why he is leaving KTM in 2027.

Acosta is joining Ducati next season, partnering with Marquez. The Italian GP showed the Shark what he can expect from the Borgo Panigale outfit – a faster bike that can get him to the front of the grid.

The Spaniard has already had great battles with Marquez in 2026, but most of the time, his RC16 has let him down and left him trailing the Ducatis. KTM have not found an answer for their lack of speed, which has ultimately prompted their star rider to jump ship.

Acosta wants a faster bike, and one that can take him to race wins and to a position where he can fight for the championship. He is fourth in the standings in 2026, but he is 70 points behind Marco Bezzecchi and still without a Grand Prix win.

MotoGP fans think Acosta is the most exciting rider on the grid, and with a Ducati behind him, he could reach the heights that many are backing him to reach. Right now, KTM are holding him back, as Mugello proved in abundance.