Pedro Acosta surprisingly ranked above Marc Marquez by MotoGP rival
Acosta has been rated above Marquez (Credit: Red Bull Content Pool)
16:00, 22 Sep
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Connor Andrews is Formula 1 and MotoGP writer for GPblog and various outlets. Having worked in motorsport for 15 years for leading companies, he has interviewed the sports biggest names and attended multiple Grands Prix.
KTM development rider Pol Espargaro has given a fascinating insight into MotoGP’s newest race winner - Pedro Acosta.
The Spaniard took victory at the Austrian Grand Prix, his first since his Moto2 championship season.
Already on his way to Ducati next season, the KTM rider has long been seen as a future champion, and even future teammate Marc Marquez believes he’s in the fight this year.
Either way, Espargaro is certain Acosta’s premier-class crown will come sooner rather than later due to his extraordinary riding style, which is thrilling fans.
Ducati set for fascinating Acosta-Marquez battle
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Explaining what makes the 22-year-old so special, he told Piel De Asfalto: “If you were on the inside, you'd understand it even less.
“He's able to brake so late, and I think Pedro is different in his riding style. Technically, he's far superior to everyone else at KTM, far superior to most of the grid as well.
“And then he has a riding style that perfectly coordinates his physical attributes.
Acosta won his first race and is being called a title contender (Photo: Red Bull Content Pool)
“He's tall, but he has quite long arms, and when he brakes, he creates a sail-like effect that allows him to stop the bike very early.
“When he's mid-corner, if you look at his riding style, it's spectacular. He's able to extend his body and neck a lot, stretching out in a way that also creates a sail-like effect, rotating the bike.
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“It's a small, technical detail from this season that allows him to be a little different and more effective than the others.”
Acosta picked over Marquez in technical comparison
Asked who surprises him more with their technical abilities between Acosta and Marquez, Espargaro then gave an answer that will surprise many.
“Pedro,” he began before explaining. “It's complicated because we caught both riders at very different stages of their careers.
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“I think Marc has lost that recklessness over time and gained stability. And I think Pedro, as time goes on, is gaining that stability, but he still has that little bit of madness to do those laps and do things that, for me, are unique. Even things that aren't seen.
“For example, in the Misano time attack, which I did behind him in qualifying, he pulled off a save at turn four, braking with the front end completely tucked in and the rear of the bike completely folded. I was behind him, and I was blown away. And it wasn't even shown.
Acosta and Marquez are all smiles now, but that could change next season (Credit: Red Bull Content Pool)
“He has many moments like that, perhaps because he's not in the spotlight; he's not always on television like Marc was, for example.
“Before, we saw four or five spectacular saves from Marc every weekend, and now we see a much more measured Marc, more consistent in his results, taking fewer risks. And we have Pedro, who's experiencing that explosive moment that Marc had a few years ago.
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“We find both riders in very different stages of their careers, and it will be very interesting to see next year, because we'll have that spark, but also that stability that Marc is currently enjoying.”
Acosta will be racing alongside Marquez at Ducati for the next two years after reportedly turning down big money offers elsewhere.
Fans, pundits and team members can’t wait, and neither can Espargaro, who explained why it will be a battle for the ages.
Acosta showing same ability Marquez once had at Honda
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Asked if he’s ever seen a rider outperform a bike so much, he responded: “Yes, Marc. I saw Marc at his best on Honda.
“When Marc was able to push that Honda to the limit, where no one else could, it was because he was able to exploit its weaknesses in a different way.
“Normally, we all got bogged down by the bike's shortcomings, but he was able to amplify those problems and make them work in his favour, not against him.
“It was really with the braking, with the rear end really high in the air, controlling the slide perfectly. For many, it was a problem, but for him, it was his way of riding.
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“I think Pedro is doing something very, very similar right now. At the point where the bike is having the most problems, which is in the turns, he uses his body to turn the bike and brake very late.
“He combines these two things that don't normally go together. When you brake very late, you arrive with a lot of speed, you have to slow the bike down more, and you have less turning radius. You have to make more V-turns.
“Pedro brakes very late, and with this riding style, he's able to keep turning the bike. That's what makes the KTM so competitive.”
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