Why didn't Acosta start in the KTM factory team?

Pedro Acosta’s record in the world championship never fails to impress. The rider who won two world titles during his first three years of participation – Moto3 and 2021 and Moto2 in 2023 – has already won 16 victories, 27 podiums and 5 pole positions.

If he will join Augusto Fernandez in 2024 at Gasgas Factory Racing Tech3, KTM's satellite team, many wonder why the young Spaniard did not land a direct ticket for the official team. An explanation that the Austrian manufacturer was forced to justify after the poor performance of Jack Miller (163 pts – 11th) who finished the championship 130 points behind his teammate, Brad Binder (293 pts – 4th).

Pit Beirer, director of the firm, stuck to it in an interview given to speedweek. " We have been disappointed with Jack's results in the last seven Grands Prix, because at the same time Brad has become stronger and stronger. Miller was unable to regain his former performance, but for example he did a good job throughout the weekend in Sepang although during the race his eighth place did not satisfy us at all. 

We always intended to race with Binder and Miller again in the KTM factory team in 2024, and the Gasgas team with the two Moto2 world champions Augusto Fernandez and Pedro Acosta made sense, He continues. Both Binder and Miller have a lot of experience, and help us find the right development direction very quickly during testing. »

Acosta will therefore not be able to count on the impressive numbers accumulated throughout his 56 world championship appearances to secure a place in the factory team, and will have to prove what he is capable of in the premier category.

“Pedro must work calmly for his debut in MotoGP, adds the German again. If he were to enter the KTM pit for his first season in MotoGP, he would feel some pressure.

That’s why we think this is the right path for Pedro. He will start in the team of Hervé Poncharal, who has a lot of experience. Then we will decide what direction to take for the future” concludes Beirer.

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