KTM will allow Pedro Acosta to test its 2027 MotoGP prototype at the post-race test in Brno, despite the Spaniard's expected move to Ducati when the new regulations come into force next season.
The decision reflects KTM's confidence in Acosta's technical feedback and underlines the important role he continues to play in the manufacturer's development programme, even as his future appears set to lie elsewhere.
Brno's test session will mark one of the first opportunities for current MotoGP riders to sample the new generation of 850cc machinery, which will be introduced in 2027 alongside Pirelli tyres and a significantly revised technical rulebook. The regulations represent the biggest transformation of the championship in more than two decades.
While several manufacturers have already conducted early prototype tests using dedicated test riders, Brno will provide valuable real-world feedback from active MotoGP competitors. KTM is expected to field Acosta alongside one of its experienced test riders, likely either Dani Pedrosa or Pol Espargaro.
The move is particularly notable given Acosta's widely reported agreement to join Ducati for the 2027 season. The 22-year-old has long been linked with a departure from KTM, with multiple reports suggesting he is set to partner Marc Marquez at Ducati when the new era begins.
Source: News.GP
Ordinarily, manufacturers are cautious about sharing developmental information with riders who are leaving for rival teams. However, KTM appears willing to prioritize gathering high-quality feedback as it accelerates work on its future machine.
Acosta's input could prove especially valuable given his status as KTM's benchmark rider. Throughout the current regulations cycle, he has been one of the most vocal and technically detailed evaluators of the RC16, frequently helping identify both the bike's strengths and areas where it still trails Ducati and Aprilia.
The Brno test will also offer a rare opportunity for manufacturers to compare their progress against rivals as development intensifies ahead of 2027. Honda plans to involve current riders in its programme, while Ducati and Aprilia are also continuing work on their next-generation prototypes.
For KTM, the decision to include Acosta is both practical and symbolic. Although the partnership is entering its final chapter, the manufacturer is still relying on its star rider to help shape the future of the RC16 before the two sides go their separate ways.
As MotoGP prepares for a new era, Acosta's final contributions to KTM could play a significant role in determining how competitive the Austrian manufacturer will be when the 2027 season begins.
