Francesco Bagnaia, the reigning world champion, expressed optimism about Pedro Acosta’s future if he switches to Ducati in MotoGP. Speaking after his third-place finish at Aragon, Bagnaia emphasized Acosta’s natural talent, suggesting the Spaniard could quickly become a podium contender. He noted Acosta’s impressive speed and consistent performance across various racing categories as strong indicators of his capability.
Current Challenges and KTM’s Competitiveness
Although Acosta is facing difficulties this season, Bagnaia attributed some of these struggles to the current level of KTM’s competitiveness. He observed that KTM may not be performing at the same high standard it once had in past years. This context, according to Bagnaia, makes Acosta’s challenges understandable and points to a potential boost in performance if Acosta rides Ducati machinery.
Expectations for Acosta with Ducati in 2026
Bagnaia confidently concluded that Acosta would likely perform better on a Ducati bike than he currently does with KTM. As one of KTM’s leading riders, Acosta remains a focal point in the paddock’s discussions about team changes leading into the 2026 season. The Italian rider’s hopeful remarks underline a broader anticipation that Acosta could not only be competitive but also fight regularly for top positions at Ducati.
“Fighting for podiums and competitive. We all know the potential of Pedro. He was super fast in every category. He’s fast right now.” —Francesco Bagnaia, World Champion
“It’s true that he’s struggling, but it’s also true that maybe KTM right now is not as competitive to us as the past years.” —Francesco Bagnaia, World Champion
“So for sure better than with the KTM.” —Francesco Bagnaia, World Champion
