The gloves are off, and Pedro Acosta isn't mincing words: KTM needs to find its cornering prowess if they truly want to challenge the MotoGP titans Aprilia and Ducati.
- Pedro Acosta identifies cornering as KTM's biggest weakness against Aprilia and Ducati.
- Despite overall improvements, KTM still lags in handling tight turns.
- The young phenom seeks a consistent base setup to elevate all KTM riders.
- The upcoming European leg of the season will be a crucial test for the team's development.
Acosta Pinpoints the Crucial Gap
KTM has been a revelation in 2026, with their updated RC16 machine showing significant strides, particularly in tyre management – a former Achilles' heel. This has propelled the Mattighofen squad to second in the teams' championship. However, rookie sensation Pedro Acosta believes the Austrian manufacturer has a specific area where it's still losing ground.
"It looks like Aprilia is finding something to turn [the bike] better than the other brands," Acosta stated, highlighting the stark contrast. He insists that while KTM has made progress, the gap in cornering ability to Aprilia and Ducati remains significant.
The Aprilia Advantage: A Masterclass in Turns
Acosta points to Aprilia's historic strength, noting how riders like Aleix Espargaro have always excelled in cornering. Now, riders like Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin are consistently exploiting this advantage, especially in rapid changes of direction.
"They were quite consistent in Turn 1. With the change of direction, they were not making any mistakes - both Marco and Jorge," Acosta explained. He finds it incredibly challenging to maintain pace when making errors trying to keep up.
Beyond Acosta: Elevating the Entire KTM Fleet
While Acosta himself is riding a phenomenal wave – sitting third in the championship with two podiums and a sprint win – he's thinking bigger. The Spanish GP rookie has accumulated 60 points, far outstripping his teammates. He wants to see a more universally effective setup.
He praised Enea Bastianini's recent step forward at Austin, where he scored a sprint podium and finished sixth in the main race. "Enea could make a really big step because it was helping a lot to the brand, to the factory, and even to me," Acosta noted. "We need to find a base set-up that everyone can ride quite fast."
The European Test: Jerez and Beyond
The MotoGP calendar now shifts to its European leg, starting with the Spanish GP at Jerez. These circuits, often cooler and more conventional than the early flyaway races, present a new challenge. Acosta sees this as a crucial proving ground.
"Now, every race will be a question mark for me," he admitted, despite his strong early season form. While the KTM performed well outside Europe, the true measure of its competitiveness against Aprilia and Ducati's adaptability across diverse tracks is yet to come. The answer, Acosta believes, lies in conquering the corners.
