Pedro Acosta (GASGAS): “Have fun and work hard” / MotoGP

The MotoGP World Championship resumes next weekend in Jerez de la Frontera. The starting position could not be better. Two-time world champion Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati) is under pressure in fifth place in the championship, while newcomer Pedro Acosta from Hervè Poncharal’s Red Bull-GASGAS-Tech3 team came home in an impressive fourth in the championship with 54 points already.

The Moto3 and Moto2 champion recently achieved multiple second and third places in Austin and Portimao. “So now comes the first home run and it comes at a great time,” Acosta says. “We’ve already managed two consecutive podium finishes so far and now I’m looking forward to the Jerez race.”

The 19-year-old Acosta, who was able to play with his crew in Austin at the Spanish festival “Pedro, Pedro, Pedro – Pedro, Pe”, also emphasizes: “It remains the same, I have no pressure. All I have is the desire to go out on the slopes and to ride in front of perhaps the best fans in the world. Our goal for the weekend remains: We want to have fun and at the same time keep the work spirit high.

The young man also admits: “It’s true that Jerez de la Frontera is one of my favorite tracks and our test team also drove a lot there. That’s why I’m sure the bike will do well. We also know that the RC16 is going well in Jerez when we look at the results for 2023. That gives me even more motivation to give it my all in the first half from Friday onwards.”

That’s right: in 2023 the GP in Jerez was a KTM RC16 festival. Both Red Bull drivers were on the podium with wildcard Dani Pedrosa shockingly seventh, just six seconds behind winner Pecco Bagnaia.