Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder are set to begin their second year racing together as teammates in MotoGP with KTM. Since Acosta’s debut in 2024 with Tech3, the two have stood out as KTM’s leading riders, with their rivalry closely contested that debut season.
In that initial season, Binder narrowly edged Acosta by two points in the championship standings. However, Acosta’s progression in 2025 was significant, as he outpaced his KTM peers by a clear margin, accumulating 307 points and finishing fourth overall—seven places ahead of Binder. Meanwhile, the rest of the KTM RC16 riders combined only earned 299 points.
Acosta’s Respect for Binder’s Experience and Skills
Despite the dominant gap in their 2025 championship battle, Acosta has openly expressed admiration for Binder’s abilities and experience. The contrast between the young rising star and the seasoned competitor forms a dynamic partnership within the KTM team, highlighting different strengths on the track.
Acosta’s Early Challenge in Matching Binder’s Braking Technique
When Acosta entered MotoGP, Brad Binder and Jack Miller led KTM’s factory efforts. Acosta found it challenging initially to keep pace with these established front-runners.
While Acosta showed more aggressive speed and earned two podium finishes in his first three premier-class races, his results were inconsistent, including four retirements, in contrast to Binder’s single retirement that season.
During KTM’s 2026 bike launch, Acosta revealed that he was initially baffled by how Binder and Miller managed braking so late and deep into corners.
“When I arrived two years ago to the class, it was quite interesting to learn from you and Jack how to become faster as soon as I can,”
Acosta said through MotoGP’s official channels.
“It was quite cool to learn from you boys, and quite tough at the beginning.”
Binder responded,
“It didn’t take you too long, though!”
Acosta then admitted,
“Quite a bit, I didn’t understand how to brake that far!”
Future Changes Expected for KTM’s Rider Lineup
The current Acosta-Binder pairing is likely approaching its final year at KTM, as Maverick Viñales is anticipated to join the team in 2027. Acosta is expected to switch to Ducati, while Binder aims to maintain his competitiveness in the championship.
Binder’s Admiration for Influential Riders in His Career Development
When asked about the riders who have most impacted their careers, Binder highlighted Miguel Oliveira, a Portuguese racer with whom he shared time in all three Grand Prix classes. Oliveira, however, has moved to World Superbikes after losing his seat with Pramac for the 2026 season.
In addition to Oliveira, Binder praised the style of Dani Pedrosa, KTM’s test rider known for his flawlessly clean riding technique. Although Pedrosa has retired from full-time racing, his data and insights continue to influence KTM’s development.
“If I think back to Moto3 and Moto2, I always learned a lot from Miguel,”
Binder explained.
“Miguel was a good reference for me.”
“One of the guys I’ve always enjoyed looking at the data is Pedrosa, for sure, because he’s that ultra-clean, doesn’t do anything wrong kind of rider. Somehow, he still brakes so late, so fast and yeah, he’s super cool to look at.”
Significance of the Acosta-Binder Partnership and What Lies Ahead
The partnership between Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder has played a crucial role in KTM’s recent MotoGP progress, combining youthful speed with seasoned technique. Acosta’s rapid adaptation and continued growth reflect the valuable mentorship from his teammate. As KTM prepares for upcoming rider changes, the experience and lessons from this duo will likely influence the team’s future strategies and performance. With Viñales’ arrival and Acosta’s expected move to Ducati, KTM faces a transitional period that could redefine its competitiveness in the years ahead.
