Pedro Acosta showcased a confident outlook after the opening round of the 2026 MotoGP season in Thailand. The Spanish rider, who secured a victory in the sprint race following a contentious penalty for Marc Márquez, finished second in the main event, trailing leader Marco Bezzecchi by over five seconds. Acosta highlighted the significant advancement KTM has made compared to last year’s difficult outing at the same circuit.
Notable Improvements from Last Year’s Struggles
Acosta contrasted this season’s achievement with a challenging weekend twelve months prior, when he could only manage a nineteenth-place finish.
“We should be happy, the team is working incredibly well. If you remember how much we suffered here last year, I was fighting just to get points, this year we finish with two podiums.”
This acknowledgment illustrated the stark progress for the young KTM rider. He also praised the support from KTM’s Austrian headquarters despite the early hours there.
“I am very happy, thank you to KTM, and all the teams in Mattighofen who supported us without a doubt, even though it’s morning there!”
Acosta said.
Acosta Takes the Lead in the Championship Standings
With his solid performance, Pedro Acosta not only achieved a second-place finish but also assumed the lead in the championship points for the first time. This achievement marks an important milestone in his career and KTM’s MotoGP campaign as they start 2026 on a strong footing. MotoGP’s official account noted,
“P2 for @37_pedroacosta – and he leads the standings for the very first time! 🦈#ThaiGP 🇹🇭.”
Overcoming Early Season Challenges and Looking Ahead
Acosta also acknowledged the difficult start to the 2025 season, when adaptation issues and KTM’s financial challenges complicated matters for the team.
“Thanks also to everyone who supports me because we really didn’t have a dream start to the 2025 season, but we persevered and now here are the fruits of our labor.”
His remarks underscored how persistence has paid off for him and KTM. Coming into the new season with improved consistency, sharper attack strategies, and better race management, Acosta positions himself as a serious contender for the MotoGP championship right from the outset.
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