The best Acosta
What began as a bold chapter for Murcian rider Pedro Acosta quickly showed it could be a headline on its own. At Sepang, the rookie era collided with the presence of champions: the new and precocious GasGas rider, already a two-time world champion in Moto3 (2021) and Moto2 (2023), faced a baptism of fire among the sport’s most daunting names. The six days of near-continuous practice at the Sepang circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, became a defining moment as this year’s MotoGP season opened with a christening of sorts for the sport’s next generation.
Acosta drew attention from teammates, engineers, and critics alike. He consistently sat in the top ten, finishing just over half a second behind the day’s best time, a gap that still marked him as a serious contender among the established champions such as Pecco Bagnaia. The paddock, home to 1,200 residents and observers, watched as the Spaniard demonstrated not just speed but poise beyond his years.
“Yes, that’s right, you have to run to be there among all these monsters,” Acosta admitted with characteristic candor. “Times are very good. I know my progress and rhythm—the two factors that matter most beyond mere free time—are exceptionally strong, but I’m not Superman yet. That extra half-second is the hardest to shave, but we’re fighting for it.” At nineteen, the young racer carried the quiet confidence of someone who has already earned the respect of many who remember the early days of his career when a KTM Moto3 mishap was etched into memory.
Despite his English improving by the day, Acosta’s communication remains precise. He speaks with clarity about what he wants and, more importantly, what he must get across to his engineers about the sensations on the bike. It would be a small betrayal to put every remark on the record, but the simplest summary shines through: this is when he says he’s having a great time, even if the challenge ahead is immense.
One veteran KTM executive noted that the announcement surrounding Acosta’s arrival stirred memories of Marc Márquez’s early days. It wasn’t just speed or skill; Acosta’s ability to convey his feelings clearly to the team marked him as a rare talent. The manager added that Pedro shares more than raw talent—he possesses an intuitive awareness of his own performance that distinguishes good riders from champions. That blend of speed and self-awareness is what separates potential champions from good riders when the moment arrives to perform on the grid. The same praise echoed through the paddock: Acosta carries traits reminiscent of Márquez, but with his own distinct mark.
Still, the path to MotoGP is never easy. A technician from a World Cup suspension factory warned that many riders possess talent, yet lack the drive to understand and relay to engineers why they are fast and what sensations they feel. Without this communication, progress stalls and momentum fades. Acosta’s early days in Sepang, marked by intense sessions and a deepening understanding of the bike, suggested he was building something durable rather than chasing temporary glory.
In a memorable moment from the Moto2 transition, Acosta reflected on high expectations and the learning curve. He recalled that a prior misstep in a different context taught him that progress often comes from persistence and humility rather than a sudden leap. “What Pedro did in this test was admirable, and we all knew it would happen,” observed Márquez, who has long admired Acosta’s precocity and style. The eight-time world champion added that the rider’s confidence is remarkable, yet warned that battles within a GP weekend would demand even more from him. The message was clear: the next phase would test depth as much as speed, and Acosta would need to match both on the track.
At Sepang, the atmosphere was electric, with a field of riders who know every millisecond of the clock. Acosta acknowledged the reality: starting from the back of the grid is a challenge when the pole time is a benchmark many riders chase. He noted that the Valencia GP had shown little margin between first and last in MotoGP, underscoring how competitive the series has become. The little rituals of track knowledge, pace, and mental focus were all in play as he navigated the final preparations before the season’s deeper battles.
Acosta’s preseason included a unique challenge of its own. He underwent surgery to remove a nail from his left femur on December 5th, delaying his training until after Christmas. The disruption led to an extra approach: he used six demanding days to rack up approximately 1,300 kilometers on the track, learning the circuit by heart and adapting his routine with a pragmatic smile. There was even a moment of laughter that echoed Márquez’s own style, a reminder that even high-pressure moments can be met with a touch of humor and a sense of perspective.
“The Shark” as he’s affectionately known, appears buoyant and under the close scrutiny of the global paddock. The role he is stepping into goes beyond personal achievement; KTM’s strategy hinges on the probability that a future World Championship could hinge on Acosta’s growth trajectory. Yet the rider remains focused on the present, avoiding overreaching or speculative talks about a title. For now, he centers on learning—on growing, step by step, and absorbing every day as if it were a fresh page in a long road ahead. The combination of his revolutionary livery and his growing reputation has already positioned him as a central figure in the early days of 2024 MotoGP, a season poised to reveal how far his potential can take him.
Learn every day
The Shark seems genuinely content with the process. The broader World Cup audience watches with anticipation, especially KTM, who understands that a strong showing from Acosta could be pivotal in their quest for a championship. While he isn’t ready to predict his exact role in the near term, he’s candid about the learning curve. The approach is simple: failure is part of the equation, but so is growth. Each mistake becomes an opportunity to improve. For Acosta, progress means moving forward with deliberate momentum, embracing every lesson as essential to becoming the rider he aims to be. Ducati and MM93 have acknowledged his trajectory, recognizing that his bold, eye-catching livery mirrors the aggressive, forward-looking style that defines his competitive persona on the track. He remains a focal point for the sport’s most eager commentators and fans alike, a symbol of the fresh energy entering MotoGP at the dawn of a new era.