MotoGP, a bizarre exchange between Pit Beirer and Pedro Acosta: "Maverick Viñales is constantly ahead of you. Beat him and then we can talk about the bike."

Last year, particularly at the start of the season, Pedro Acosta was the subject of much discussion. The Spanish rider made numerous negative comments about the bike, claiming it wasn't up to scratch. He openly expressed interest in joining Ducati VR46, but his contract runs until the end of the 2026 season. At the end of the season, Acosta, eager to quickly compete for world titles, asserted that he had essentially wasted the year, remarks that certainly didn't sit well with the KTM board, starting with Pit Beirer.

Moreover, an interview with the latter for speedweek It allowed us to learn more about the relationship between the two men. And, clearly, things got heated at the start of the season. “I was sitting with him in the truck and I said to him, ‘EListen, mate, you're damn good. You're the future of this sport. We all know it. You're capable of reaching Marc Marquez's level. But if you're as good as you think you are, then you first have to be the best KTM rider. Maverick Viñales is constantly ahead of you, and you think you're not up to it. If Viñales finishes fourth or fifth, then you have to finish fourth or fifth too, maybe even third. Then we can talk about the bike." he asserted.

 

 

Beirer didn't mince his words. « "But for now, we first need to make sure you're the best KTM rider."Then we'll see what the real gap is with the Ducati and Marc Marquez."It wasn't a particularly pleasant moment. He was a bit upset. But the next day, he finished in the top 5. That's when we turned things around this season," he continued.

According to Beirer, Maverick Vinales' effort, whom no one expected to be on the podium in Qatar, was crucial.. « Maverick saved us. The riders were starting to think that the bike wasn't performing well and we didn't have any new equipment. Maverick, for his part, kept saying that the bike was good enough to get on the podium » he concluded.

Do you think KTM will be able to keep Pedro Acosta after 2026? Tell us in the comments!