Pedro “Shark” Acosta, the Spanish rider aboard Kalex, stands as the overwhelming favorite for the Moto2 title among fans and analysts in both Canada and the United States. His bold breakout in 2023 began with a decisive performance to claim victory at the Portuguese Grand Prix held at the Portimão circuit, signaling his readiness to chase the championship with relentless pace.
Relating to
-
Daniel Holgado crowned at Portimao in Moto3
Acosta stretched his advantage over his nearest rivals, opening a gap of more than 1.3 seconds on the chase group. He rode with a commanding pace, finishing almost five seconds clear of his fellow Spaniard Arón Canet, who rides a Kalex, and Italian Tony Arbolino, also on Kalex. It marked Acosta’s fourth Moto2 victory and the tenth win of his racing career, highlighting his early-season momentum and consistent form.
In the same race, Arón Canet had set the pace in practice, turning the best qualifying time and launching the start with a strong surge. He led early on, followed by Czech rider Filip Salac before the Italian Celestino Vietti, on a Kalex, moved into contention. Vietti finished in a strong position, though a late-race long lap penalty from Racing Direction altered the final order. The penalty reshuffled the top ranks, placing Spaniards Albert Arenas and Jeremy Alcoba, along with Manuel “Manugas” González, among the front runners after the various penalties.
Fans affectionately know Acosta as the “Mazarrón Shark,” a nickname that captures his aggressive sprint to the line. A social media post from DAZN Spain captured the moment with a concise celebration video and the caption, “Shark” kicking off 2023 with a bang at Portugal. This moment underscored Acosta’s rising profile within the sport and his potential to contend for the world championship this season.
In the second Moto2 round, Acosta again seized control early, with Canet and Vietti pushing to stay close. Alonso López, riding for Speed Up, faced a lengthy penalty for an incident with Bo Bendsneyder that kept him from sprinting with the leaders, while Borja Gómez also faced a multi-lap sanction. Vietti’s long-lap penalty thrust Acosta into a position where the Italian briefly led before the pace of the field stabilized and the Dutch-British battleground intensified at mid-race distance. The Italian’s penalty reshaped the strategy of the chasing pack, leaving Acosta with Canet as his most persistent opponent as they traded positions during the middle stages of the race.
As the laps wound down, Acosta began to increase his lead. Vietti’s earlier error and the persistent pressure from Canet set up a tense finale, but Acosta showed his fortitude. With three laps remaining, a small acceleration created a margin that Canet could not erase. The final push secured Acosta his tenth career victory, extending his tallies and reinforcing his status as the rider to beat this season. Manugas González, in fifth, led a large group that included Arbolino, Arenas, Salac, and Chantra, with a wide spread among competing riders and several positions still in contention as the field closed in around the leading combatants.
The closing stages featured intense battles across the top ten, with Acosta maintaining composure and speed, delivering a performance that left a strong impression on fans and analysts alike. The race results highlighted the depth of Spanish talent in Moto2, with multiple Kalex riders in the upper echelons, and showcased the competitive balance across the grid as the season progresses. Behind Acosta, Arón Canet remained a constant threat, validating the early-season expectations about their rivalry and the battle for the championship lead. The round concluded with Acosta firmly in command of the standings and positioned to capitalize on future opportunities as the calendar moves forward.
Note: the Portugal Grand Prix at Portimão continues to be a pivotal fixture in Moto2, often shaping the championship narrative through dramatic moments, strategic penalties, and the emergence of new challengers. The season’s trajectory suggests a compelling battle for the title as teams adjust their strategies and riders push for podium consistency.
— The narrative surrounding Pedro Acosta emphasizes his growth and potential to secure a championship at a young age, with supporters in North America watching closely as the season unfolds.