Pedro Acosta finished Friday at the Motegi circuit with mixed feelings as he demonstrated impressive speed and a strong lap time, but he openly admitted that his overall experience on the KTM motorcycle was uncomfortable. Despite recording competitive times, the rookie rider struggled to find the right feeling on his bike throughout the session.
The difficult conditions at the Japanese track, marked by numerous crashes, added to the challenges Acosta faced.
“Yeah, it wasn’t bad at all,”
he said.
“Tougher than last year, but generally it looked like there were many crashes around — crashes that were difficult to understand, like the two from Marco, Morbidelli also. Difficult to understand.”
– Pedro Acosta, MotoGP Rider
Although he pushed hard during the session, Acosta acknowledged that speed did not translate into confidence.
“Even for me, I was trying a lot, but the feeling was not the best one. Even going fast, it was not a great feeling,”
he admitted. Near the session’s end, the situation worsened when he crashed just before the flag drop.
Reflecting on the crash, Acosta said,
“Quite sad about the crash before finishing the session. But it was coming from the problems I was having behind — part of the game.”
His fast but unsettled performance highlighted ongoing difficulties with his KTM motorcycle, where pace alone has not been enough to overcome instability.
Technical Troubles: Fork Complications and Spare Parts Update
One technical concern that has unsettled Acosta throughout the season relates to the front forks, sometimes referred to as the ‘magic’ forks, which had been missing during crucial rounds in Hungary and again throughout this weekend. This uncertainty has cast doubt on whether KTM had lost these vital components for good.
When asked about the status of these parts, Acosta’s response was measured but hopeful:
“I don’t think so, but now I have a spare part.”
– Pedro Acosta, MotoGP Rider
This indicates KTM engineers have prepared backup equipment to mitigate ongoing issues, an important step toward creating a more reliable race package. For Acosta, maintaining focus on adapting to setbacks while extracting speed remains essential as the season proceeds.
Looking Ahead: Managing Challenges in Pursuit of Success
Pedro Acosta’s struggle with the KTM bike contrasts with his undeniable talent and fast pace, revealing the fine line between speed and control in MotoGP competition. At Motegi, the combination of technical difficulties and track incidents forced him to ride cautiously yet aggressively, seeking the comfort needed to translate speed into solid results.
With spare parts on hand and ongoing support from KTM’s engineering team, Acosta aims to address these challenges head-on. His ability to manage mechanical issues and recover from setbacks will be crucial as he continues to contest rounds against highly skilled rivals such as Marc Marquez, Fabio Quartararo, Marco Morbidelli, and others at significant venues including Hungary and Japan.
The persistence shown by Acosta, despite frustrations and crashes, underscores the demanding nature of MotoGP racing where resilience often defines long-term success. As the season progresses, fans and teams alike will watch closely to see if he can convert his raw speed into consistent comfort and podium finishes on the KTM.
