Pedro Acosta has made significant progress in managing his crashes during the 2026 MotoGP season, according to KTM technical director Sebastian Risse. After two years without a win in the premier class and recurring crashes while competing in strong positions, Acosta’s ability to stay upright has become a key factor in his improved performance.
Heading into the 2026 season, questions surrounded Acosta’s potential, as his results with Tech3 and KTM Factory Racing had not matched his junior class promise. The rider’s frequent crashes—including the notable Japanese Grand Prix incident where he was leading—had cast doubt on his consistency at the top level. However, early indications this year suggest a turning point for the 21-year-old Spanish rider.
KTM’s Sebastian Risse Highlights Acosta’s Growth and Training Commitment
In a recent interview with Speedweek, Sebastian Risse praised Acosta’s development and crash management, emphasizing the rider’s improved focus and attitude. During the 2025 season, Acosta recorded 21 crashes, ranking fifth most among riders, but he has yet to crash in the 2026 season.
Acosta showed remarkable consistency throughout the 2026 pre-season testing sessions in Sepang and Buriram, completing them without incident. He carried this momentum into the opening round at the Thailand Grand Prix held at the Chang International Circuit, where he maintained clean race weekends.
Risse commented,
“In all aspects surrounding the bike it was Pedro who made it happen. He’s a key factor. And not just since Buriram. Pedro was already very strong and had the right attitude at the end of last year.”
“On top of that, he had excellent pre-season training. The fact that he didn’t crash once during the entire testing phase shouldn’t be underestimated. Pedro currently has everything under control.” – Sebastian Risse, KTM Technical Director
Debate Surrounds Status of Acosta’s First MotoGP Sprint Race Victory
At the Thailand Grand Prix’s opening weekend, Acosta secured his first MotoGP Sprint Race win on Saturday. Despite this milestone, discussions have emerged over whether a Sprint Race win carries the same weight as a full Grand Prix victory.
Four-time World Superbike champion Carl Fogarty expressed his views on this matter, suggesting that Sprint Race wins should not count as official Grand Prix wins. Fogarty stated,
“No, it shouldn’t count as a GP win, and neither should the WSBK sprint race count as one.” – Carl Fogarty, Four-time World Superbike Champion
This perspective contributes to the ongoing conversation about Acosta’s standing in MotoGP and the possible stretch before his first full race victory.
Future Prospects Amid Contract Talks and Team Interests
Speculation has surrounded Acosta’s future beyond the 2026 season, with reports indicating a potential two-year contract signed with Ducati for 2027 onward. Nevertheless, KTM remains interested in keeping Acosta within their ranks, indicating a contest for one of MotoGP’s promising talents.
Acosta’s recent improvements in crash control and race performance are likely to influence both his market value and competitiveness moving forward, as he aims to fulfill expectations set by his junior category successes.
As the 2026 MotoGP season progresses, maintaining this newfound stability could make a critical difference in Pedro Acosta’s pursuit of his first premier class championship, shaping his legacy and career trajectory in the sport.
