Pedro Acosta achieved a remarkable feat in his MotoGP career by securing a podium finish at the Portuguese Grand Prix. This impressive accomplishment overshadowed his lack of experience with MotoGP’s unique weekend format at the Portimao track, which had not been tested by the riders. As a rookie on his privateer KTM, Acosta surpassed the factory KTMs and even a six-time MotoGP champion, showcasing his exceptional skills on the bike.
Acosta’s performance in the Saturday sprint race was on par with expectations, as he trailed behind the works KTMs. However, he managed to outshine his main rival, Aleix Espargaro, in the battle for seventh place. Espargaro acknowledged Acosta’s exceptional talent and expressed his astonishment at the rookie’s speed and control on the bike.
Furthermore, Espargaro highlighted the competitiveness of the KTM bike, as Acosta immediately fought for victory. Acosta’s dominance over the established RC16 riders at Portimao, combined with KTM’s steady progress in MotoGP, indicates that Acosta’s natural progression could greatly boost the team’s performance.
Even Jack Miller, who was overtaken by Acosta after a collision with Brad Binder, acknowledged the rookie’s outstanding performance. Miller and Binder were unable to catch up to Acosta, despite their best efforts. Acosta’s ability to control the bike and maintain high corner speed impressed Binder, who commended him and admitted that Acosta deserved the podium finish.
Binder, who has always had strong teammates, acknowledged the value of having Acosta alongside him. He believes that their partnership will drive the team forward and lead to further improvements in their performance.
Jorge Martin, the winner of the Portuguese Grand Prix, compared Acosta’s debut in MotoGP to his own experience. Martin highlighted their similar starts, with both riders dazzling in their Qatar debut and immediately securing a podium finish. Although Martin suffered a severe injury at Portimao in his rookie season, he believes that Acosta’s talent and potential are undeniable.
While Acosta’s progress in MotoGP cannot be guaranteed, Binder emphasized that it is not always a linear journey. Unexpected challenges and surprises are bound to arise along the way. However, Binder also acknowledged that the current MotoGP landscape is more demanding for rookies compared to when he started.
Considering Acosta’s remarkable talent and potential, it is reasonable to expect him to continue improving throughout the season. Even a slight improvement in lap times could lead to victories in the remaining races of 2024, establishing Acosta and the KTM bike as serious championship contenders in 2025.