Let's talk MotoGP: This decision by KTM is difficult to swallow

It's done ! Let's Talk MotoGP looks today at Pedro Acosta, the 13th – and youngest – Moto2 world champion, following a masterfully conducted season with Red Bull KTM Ajo. I have a lot to say about this rider, but also about KTM, his lifelong employer. Here is an analysis in two distinct points which will, I hope, offer another look at the situation. Without further ado, here we go.

 

Yes, Pedro Acosta is a crack

 

Pedro Acosta is often compared to Marc Márquez. Besides, I recently published a comparative analysis of the two pilots in as many parts, which I invite you to find by clicking here. Of course, putting two careers into perspective is a perilous exercise because the expression of talent, however intrinsic and personal it may be, also depends on a historical context. My article concerning the eight-time world champion was more about looking back at the two journeys and trying to find similarities, as well as differences.

And if we take Pedro Acosta for what he is, then we easily see that he is an immense talent, hailed by his peers. PPlease don't be fooled by the tendency to reduce it to a simple KTM product, or to downplay this season's competition.

 

 

In my opinion, the 2023 financial year, in Moto2, was the toughest of all time. Never have we seen so many pilots with a great future, even excluding the world champion. How not to mention Tony Arbolino, far from being ridiculous, Aron Canet, extremely dangerous on Sunday, Jake dixon, capable of one-off feats rarely seen, or the enthusiasm of the Speed ​​Up duo composed ofAlonso lopez and Fermin Aldeguer. Without counting the others, namely, the Albert Arenas, Manuel Gonzalez, or the Honda Team Asia pair led by Somkiat Chantra and supported by Ai Ogura. You can go all the way back to 15th place and find a lot of quality on this grid.

And not only did Pedro Acosta win, but also, he crushed the competition. All the names mentioned previously were unable to do anything all season. I am referring to the seven victories. To the other seven podiums. To the three poles, and to the eight fastest laps in the race. If you still doubt the guy, remember that he has already won the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in 2020, then the Moto3 world championship in 2021 as a rookie, and now the Moto2 title two years later. In the XNUMXst century, only five drivers have managed to win the crown in the small and medium category; Dani Pedrosa, Manuel Poggiali, the Márquez brothers, and therefore, Acosta. That’s the level.

 

 

So, yes, he is playing within the best team ever assembled in Moto2. In a category where everyone plays on an equal footing, Aki Ajo and his troops perform miracles. They are on three consecutive coronations, after Remy Gardner in 2021 and Augusto Fernández in 2022. But yet, who is excited at the idea of ​​seeing him compete on a MotoGP? Are we really counting down the days remaining before the Valencia test, as we did for Marc Márquez at the end of 2012? No.

 

Professional misconduct?

 

Honestly, I'm extremely disappointed that I didn't expect it as much. And all for good reason; THE board KTM didn't give him the factory handlebars. Make no mistake: the Tech3 team is excellent, and has already proven its quality in the past. Several high-class profiles have exploded there, and Hervé Poncharal's men are recognized for their know-how. This is all true.

But why don't we give an official handlebar to such a pilot? Can you imagine for a single moment Marc Márquez arriving at LCR Honda in 2013 to replace Stefan Bradl? Dani Pedrosa being refused Honda Repsol in 2006 to take over from Makoto Tamada? No. So, yes, I'm playing a little with history because the satellite machines, at the time, were not as efficient as the official ones. But still.

 

 

If again, Red Bull KTM had two cracks at the level of Brad Binder, I could have understood. But I admit to having difficulty understanding the ins and outs of Jack Miller's contract. The Australian has not shown the slightest sign of progression since the start of the season. It's worse, he's never been as good as in the fourth round alone! In Thailand, he did not finish in the points consistently for the first time since the 2018 Austrian Grand Prix, while Binder failed to teach Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martín a lesson.

Jack Miller has his place in MotoGP, for sure. But not that of Pedro Acosta. Many seem to agree with the decision of Pierer Mobility AG, which sends the young prodigy to “learn” at GasGas. But what signal is being sent to Acosta? Do you think he didn't follow the imbroglio around Raúl Fernández? Would Jorge Lorenzo have been so confident, so released for his rookie year in 2008 if he had not played, directly, at his young age, on an equal footing with Valentino Rossi? Isn't the pressure that comes with being a factory driver beneficial for generational talents? These are good questions to ask.

 

 

Conclusion

 

Pedro Acosta proved he was even more special than we thought this season, which was, in many ways, more impressive than his 2021 campaign. Even if comparisons with Marc Márquez are futile, he is playing in the same galaxy at this stage of his career. On the other hand, I admit that I don't understand why Jack Miller remains on the official team. Even if it meant buying out his contract as McLaren did with Daniel Ricciardo in Formula 1, there were solutions ; There is no shortage of money in Austria (in Mattighofen at KTM or in Fuschl am See at Red Bull). We already know Miller's ceiling, and I don't see why he would come and play up front regularly in 2024 when he has never been able to do so on the Ducati Desmosedici.

This analysis is perhaps pessimistic, it is true, because the experience could go well at GasGas, and, why not, turn into a sudden promotion. But not giving the reins to such a rough diamond is also risky, because if acclimatization is slower, he could well spend his year thinking about an exit... until it explodes within another fold.

What do you think ? Tell us in the comments!

 

 

Cover photo: Red Bull KTM Ajo