MotoGP Australia Day 0: When the conference focuses on a rivalry in the Murcia region...

In the absence of the usual headliners in the category, the press conference in the run-up to the Grand Prix MotoGP Australia returned to the Indonesian podium, composed mainly of Fermin Aldeguer et Peter Acosta, two pilots from the Murcia region.

The two boys have known each other since they were young, both are fast, both are young, both are beginners, or almost, in the premier class of GPs, but both are seasoned enough not to fall into the trap of the Spanish journalist who asked them: "I know you're not best friends today, but have you seen that picture we have of you two as children together on the podium, and now the one taken in the last few days? What do you think of that, since you're also the two youngest drivers in the paddock? Does that picture have any special meaning for you?"

Pedro Acosta: “Yes, it's really cool to see these photos from that time, you know. In the end, it's nice to see that two guys from Murcia have succeeded. At the beginning, even when Juanfran Guevara and Ana Carrasco were there, it was quite difficult to imagine that riders from such a small region could make it this far. Maybe it was a shock, first to see me, and then another shock to see Fermín win his first MotoGP race at the last Grand Prix. For that, I think it's something very positive for a whole generation, for all the young people who want to become like us, let's say.
Now they have solid heroes, let's say, who show them that it's possible. And now that there are two of us here in MotoGP, but also that Carpe is coming, Quiles is coming, and Cano is already there in the smaller categories... For that, a lot of young people will soon come from Murcia. So everything good that happens to us is also a good thing for the region."

Fermin Aldeguer: "Yes, for me it's the same. I think that Murcia is now one of the best places for motorcycle racing. More and more young people are arriving. For me, sharing a podium with Pedro is very nice, because in the end we often trained together. We arrived here, at the highest level, together, for the dream we had.
And yes, maybe our relationship is no longer the same, but it is very difficult to have real friends in the paddock. For everyone, it's the same, and we have no problem: we are simply rivals, we race for the same goal. That's how it is, but it's good.

It is not known exactly what strained the relationship between the two childhood friends who trained together on the karting circuits, but the two men became true professionals, carefully avoiding any controversy and limiting themselves to a few small digs, one explaining the other's first victory by a better bike, the other by his talent which he judges superior.

An interview of Fermin Aldeguer granted to As.com This summer illustrates the relationship between the two pilots...

How has your relationship with Acosta evolved?
“Same. Just the same.”

Why are you turning away now?
“Because I draw while I talk. (He laughs.)”

But you did it throughout the interview and you were looking at me, except when I asked you about Acosta.
"Basically, there's never been any problem between us. It's just rivalry. It's a question of character. I congratulated him on his podiums (in Brno). I swear I have no problem, and I think it's more up to him and his entourage to change their way of seeing things a little."

Which one of you is the better driver?
“In terms of talent, me. In terms of work, him.”

And it's easier to improve work than talent...
"Then I'll have to get to work a little."

MotoGP Australia Acosta Aldeguer MotoGP Australia Acosta Aldeguer