On the verge of the podium, Acosta allows KTM to get its head above water in Aragon

Statistically, nothing has changed in Aragon. KTM is still the only factory not to have reached the podium in 2025. But Pedro Acosta, fourth, seven seconds behind Marc Márquez, continues to get close. Since his crash in Austin, the Spanish prodigy has always finished in the top eight.

Better still, Acosta battled fiercely with Francesco Bagnaia early in the race, a sign of the Austrian manufacturer's renewed form this weekend. The only rider equipped with a hard tire on the front of his bike, he praised this choice at the finish. “Starting with the hard tire on the front was the right choicehe assured. I am someone who needs the front tire to be fast and (SATURDAY) It was a handicap. Today it was fantastic.".

Despite his speed at the start of the race, Acosta was powerless against the Ducati, measuring the gap that still separates KTM from the best bike on the grid. "We didn't have the pace for the top 3, recognized the Spaniard. It was a waste of time, but I really enjoyed the first five laps.. And to see the progress of his motorcycle. The gap to the winner was smaller. That's a positive point.".

Behind Acosta, the other KTM riders were unable to keep up

KTM could have been looking to secure a big points lead if Brad Binder had been able to hold his teammate's wheel. But on lap 12, while clinging to fifth place, the South African crashed. “I lost the front in turn 3, he deciphers. I wondered what could have happened, then I saw the data and I understood that I had less speed, less brake and less pressure on the tire..

All eyes then turned to Tech3, where Maverick Viñales, in 8th place, was on course to secure points. But with four laps to go, the Spaniard also crashed. “I don’t know how I fell. It was so smooth, I didn’t feel it.”, he describes. I braked at the same point and with the same speed. I was just sucked in by Joan. (Mir) and I lost the front. It's a shame.".

These mistakes cost the Austrian manufacturer dearly, as it has not had many opportunities to score big points this season. "This weekend in Aragon was very positive for us because, from Friday, our riders had the pace to go and compete with the best, says Aki Ajo, director of KTM. Unfortunately, Brad and Maverick crashed but Pedro secured a good result with 4th place.. Waiting for a first podium at Mugello, in two weeks?

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