KTM’s Spanish GP Success: Binder Wins, Acosta Adjusts Expectations
Kosport Magazine - The Spanish GP at Jerez proved to be one of KTM’s best weekends of the 2023 campaign, with Brad Binder winning the sprint and finishing second in the main race ahead of team-mate Jack Miller.
KTM’s strong performance at Jerez was a welcome surprise, especially after Tech3 GasGas rookie Pedro Acosta’s back-to-back podium finishes. However, the team was only able to secure a sixth-place finish in the grand prix, with Acosta coming in 10th.
Despite the less-than-ideal results, Acosta remains optimistic and believes that the brand needs to adjust its expectations going forward.
“In general, I’m talking about the brand, not just me, I think we came with too many expectations to do very well here,” Acosta said.
He continued, “And you have to understand that we are not the only ones improving, other brands are improving as well. I think [with] this excessive expectation [it] will be good for us this year to take it easy on the races that went well last year and see what happens from the beginning.”
Kosport Magazine’s Take: Acosta’s words serve as a reminder that in the world of motorsports, anything can happen. While expectations may be high, it’s important to stay grounded and focus on the present. KTM’s strong showing at Jerez may have set the bar high, but it’s important to remember that every race is a new challenge.
Acosta also addressed the expectations placed on him as a young rider, saying, “I don’t care about people’s expectations, I long ago stopped listening to outside noise and the words of people like [Jorge] Lorenzo, who obviously know about motorcycles.”
He added, “But here nobody knows what’s going to happen until you cross the finish line. You can also be in the lead for all the laps of a race and fall or be overtaken at the last corner, so predictions are of little use.”
Acosta’s level-headed approach is a valuable lesson for all riders, especially in a sport as unpredictable as MotoGP.
Despite the difficult weekend for the KTM brand, Acosta still sits fourth in the championship and is only 23 points off leader Jorge Martin.
Kosport Magazine’s Take: Acosta’s impressive standing in the championship is a testament to his skill and determination. While the Spanish GP may not have gone as planned for KTM, it’s clear that they have a strong team and talented riders who are capable of achieving great things.
As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how KTM continues to perform and how Acosta adjusts his expectations. With his level-headed approach and impressive skills, he is definitely one to watch in the MotoGP world.
Kosport Magazine’s Take: KTM’s performance at the Spanish GP may not have been as expected, but it’s clear that they have a strong team and talented riders who are capable of achieving great things. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how they continue to perform and how Acosta adjusts his expectations. With his level-headed approach and impressive skills, he is definitely one to watch in the MotoGP world.
