Pedro Acosta, Moto2 world champion

Acosta started 2023 with a clear objective and demonstrated his quality from the first race. The start of the season at the Portuguese Grand Prix was also the start of a run of great results, with the first victory of the year in Portimao. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider won again in Austinwhile in the Spanish Grand Prix he was second.

A crash in France meant his only race without points this season. Subsequently, Acosta completed the first half of the season with an almost perfect streak, winning at Mugello and Sachsenring and being third at Assen. In this way, he closed the gap in the classification and even increased his advantage in each race.

Upon returning from the summer break was when the pace picked up, at the same time showing his maturity in the intermediate category and demonstrating his ability to manage and adapt to each of the Grand Prix. Silverstone and Austria again saw Acosta on the podium, third and second respectively. San Marino, India and Indonesia were also the scene of new victoriesand a podium finish in Japan with a third place finish kept his streak going.

“Last year we tried to find the right set-up with the bike, but I was also too young and light for Moto2, so we took a big step in winter and improved overall, also with my head and my experience. I knew what I had to do. We took more steps. The weekends were not easy and at times it was difficult to make up ground, but we made progress. The objective was to be competitive and that’s it“.

“I also want to thank the team for their great effort and support all the way to 2023. Our partners have also contributed a lot and the relationship with the management of Pierer Mobility and Red Bull is closer than ever. We are happy to successfully be part of the KTM GP Academy and Pedro should have a bright future in MotoGP. “It will be fascinating to see how he does next season and beyond.”

The one from San Sebastián de los Reyes leaves Sepang with 14 points behind the leader, Bagnaia, one more than how he arrived after Thailand. With 74 points left until the end of the season, and as the only ones mathematically in a position to take the crown -Marco Bezzecchi is mathematically out of the battle-, Pecco could get his first match ball in the Qatar GP race next week.

The threats of rain throughout the weekend have remained that way: the circuit has remained dry throughout the premier class weekend. The short ten-minute Warm Up session offered the Repsol Honda Team one last opportunity to evaluate its set-up. before launching into the afternoon race.

“It has been a difficult Sunday to end a difficult weekend, really everything came from qualifying on Saturday,” said the one from Cervera. “From 20th place it is always difficult and my feelings with the bike were similar to those of the Sprint race. Yesterday I pushed and fell, today I managed everything and was able to at least score some points. Another difficult race awaits us in Qatar, where we can try to improve our situation and our results.”