Pedro Acosta
At nineteen years old, Pedro Acosta stands as a remarkable figure in the sport, a rider who has accomplished in just 30 months what many athletes chase their entire careers. He has claimed two world championships and earned a seat with a MotoGP powerhouse, KTM, to compete among the sport’s elite in the upcoming season. The moment he faced the microphone after the podium, all eyes were on him. DAZN’s Izaskun Ruiz stood nearby, and Acosta, fighting back emotion, revealed a promise to his team. He would not break down in front of them now, yet as the Valencia farewell nears, the tears seem almost inevitable. By the end of his remarks, the emotions were clearly visible, threatening to spill over as he tried to keep composed.
It all began with a moment that sounded almost mythical to listeners: Pedro Acosta, world champion. The sentiment was echoed as he reflected on the journey he had traveled. He spoke of immense happiness for himself, for his career, and for making history by bringing a world championship to Murcia and to Spain. Yet the source of his pride ran deeper still. He emphasized his gratitude to his family and his team, acknowledging that they were the ones who carried him to this point. He recalled a grim period the previous year, a stretch of time when victory eluded him and questions swirled about why, despite the team’s strengths, his own performance seemed insufficient. He admitted that he sometimes doubted his own abilities even as the team’s greatness kept him moving forward. He credits them with lifting him onto a platform he might not have reached alone.
A lot of changes
The path was shaped by the combination of team, family, and relentless hard work. Acosta noted that he never skipped a day of training, continuing to push himself in the gym, on the track, and in the garage. In Moto3 the road appeared smoother in the beginning, with a string of successes that seemed almost too easy—several wins in a handful of races, a rhythm that felt almost effortless. Yet the turning point arrived last year, a period he describes as extremely difficult. He was disappointed and felt the weight of a season that hadn’t gone his way. He also mentioned external pressures, including a few issues beyond the World Championship and a change in mentorship with Adrián Cases, but he emphasized that the crew faced every challenge together. That unity, he suggested, was a vital element of the ascent.
“Last year, when nothing was going right for me, thinking about how good the team was and how bad I was, I learned a lot, everything. That bad year taught me how to be a champion.”
Affected by the journey
The Spanish rider, known as the Mazarrón shark, went on to reflect on the lessons of the previous season and how they shaped his approach. He explained that reading news and commentary about the year past helped him realize how important it is to stay grounded. Even when victories don’t come, staying on the podium, finishing in fourth or fifth, can be a meaningful form of progress. He recalled a moment of frustration at a challenging race in Argentina, where a fierce battle with his friend Remy Gardner sparked a renewed determination. Those moments, he said, are not setbacks but fuel for learning and growth that eventually led to the season’s success.
The Murcian rider expanded on what it means to be a champion: maintaining calm, keeping things orderly, leaning on the team and family, and seizing opportunities to score as many points as possible. Journalists often described the experience as riding alongside the legends who shaped his childhood. He mentioned names like Valentino Rossi, Dani Pedrosa, and Marc Márquez as milestones and inspirations. He confessed that witnessing those feats feels almost like a dream come true. The season’s results confirmed a remarkable run: seven wins so far, with Qatar and Valencia still on the calendar, and a total of 14 podiums across 18 races—an achievement he celebrated with genuine, joyful astonishment.
In closing reflections, Acosta expressed sincere happiness with how everything turned out. The journey, with its high points and its trials, culminated in a season that affirmed his status among the sport’s best. The road ahead remains bright, and the rider from Murcia carries forward the lessons, the pride, and the unwavering support of his inner circle as he continues to chase further glory on the world stage.