Pol Espargaro backs Pedro Acosta to hit his peak in 2026
Pol Espargaro says he expects KTM rider Pedro Acosta to hit his prime soon, praising the youngster’s growing maturity and his already impressive skill set aboard the RC16.
While Acosta hasn’t found extra speed on the RC16 compared to last season, Espargaro sees clear signs of improvement. He believes the young Spaniard has become a more complete rider, even without raw speed gains.
Acosta didn’t consider himself a real winner after his Sprint Race win in Thailand – feeling it came more from Marc Marquez’s penalty than outright pace – but has since climbed onto two Grand Prix podiums.
Espargaro also thinks Acosta still has room to grow further with KTM.
Pol Espargaro says Pedro Acosta is nearly in his ‘prime’ after maturing in 2026
Acosta would have taken third place in the COTA Sprint if it weren’t for his tyre pressure penalty, which bumped Tech3’s Enea Bastianini up into the podium spots. Even so, he still managed seventh in the Brazilian Grand Prix, making him KTM’s top finisher that day.
This is a marked improvement from last year when Acosta’s lack of composure often got the better of him. He was known for pushing too hard and taking unnecessary risks rather than settling for what was available.
“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.”
Pol Espargaro isn’t convinced KTM can keep up their early pace in 2026
Espargaro knows KTM have to step up and deliver a stronger bike after the April break if Acosta is going to make the most of his remarkable talent. Acosta feels that the engine isn’t quite there yet, something he felt especially in races against Aprilia in Brazil and the USA.
KTM’s Brad Binder mentioned after the United States GP that he was dealing with significant chatter from his RC16 throughout the race, particularly when leaned over, which took him by surprise. Espargaro hopes changes are coming soon to help close the gap to 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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