Pol Espargaro Praises Pedro Acosta: “His Progression is Insane”
The 2024 MotoGP season has been marked by the emergence of new talents and impressive performances, but none have attracted as much attention as debutant Pedro Acosta. Pol Espargaro, a veteran of the sport, has made no secret of his admiration for the young driver, highlighting his quick adaptation to the premier class and comparing his driving style to that of the legendary Valentino Rossi.
A Brilliant Start
Current Moto2 champion Pedro Acosta arrived in MotoGP with high expectations, but few could have predicted how quickly he would stand out. In just seven races, Acosta has already scored two podiums and ranks fifth overall, making him the best KTM rider. Pol Espargaro, who left his position as starting driver at GASGAS Tech3 to make room for Acosta, has closely observed the young talent’s progress.
Espargaro, now a test rider for KTM, commented: “He didn’t need much help, I tell you! This guy was born-ready! The level of MotoGP is very high now, and to see a guy perform like this with our bike, it’s insane. He proves that he is even faster than many experienced riders, without having any experience.
Comparisons with Valentino Rossi
One of the things that impressed Espargaro the most was Acosta’s control of the bike, particularly in the use of the accelerator and brakes. Espargaro emphasized: “What shocked me the most is the way he uses the whole track, from the inside to the outside. It’s incredible and very difficult. Also, the way he brakes while keeping 20% throttle open reminds me of Valentino Rossi at Yamaha. I tried to do that once and almost killed myself in the first corner.”
Espargaro also praised Acosta’s body posture while riding: “The way he positions his body to turn the bike is quite unique and helps a lot in the corners. He does things that are very difficult to imitate, especially for someone smaller than me.”
Acosta’s Response
When informed of Espargaro’s praise, Pedro Acosta showed humility and a willingness to continue learning. “We see that this is a way the bike likes to be ridden. I also try to take the best from everyone and bring it all together. The bike seems to want me to ride it that way.”
Thoughts on the Season
Reflecting on his first seven MotoGP races, Acosta said, “It wasn’t a disaster! To be honest, it could be a lot better, but also a lot worse. We lost two good opportunities at Le Mans and Barcelona, but it’s part of the learning process. After these seven races, we have everything much clearer and a lot of things to try and think about for the next.
Pedro Acosta’s meteoric rise in MotoGP is a testament to his natural talent and determination. Praise from Pol Espargaro, an experienced driver, highlights Acosta’s extraordinary potential. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on this young prodigy, who continues to surprise and raise standards in the world of motorcycle racing.
