Marc Marquez believes Pedro Acosta has now established himself as a genuine contender for the 2026 MotoGP world championship after the KTM rider claimed his maiden premier-class victory at the Austrian Grand Prix.
Acosta produced a dominant performance at the Red Bull Ring last Sunday, recovering from fifth at the start to take the lead from championship leader Jorge Martin on lap nine. He then pulled clear to win by 1.01 seconds, securing his first MotoGP victory in his 56th start and giving KTM its first premier-class win since 2022.
The result has significantly changed the championship picture. Acosta moved up to fourth in the standings and now sits 72 points behind Martin, with seven races remaining.
Before the Austrian round, Martin, Marquez and Marco Bezzecchi had begun to separate themselves from the rest of the field in the title race. Acosta's breakthrough, however, has given KTM a stronger position in the fight, particularly after the manufacturer made progress with its engine performance.
"The top four guys are ready to fight for the championship," Marquez said. "Since KTM opened the engines after Silverstone and again have good power, they are here ready to fight for the championship."
Source: Autocar India
Marquez also expects Acosta to be a major threat when MotoGP heads to Japan next month. The 22-year-old has traditionally been quick at Motegi, taking his first MotoGP pole there during his rookie season and showing strong pace again last year.
"After this GP, Pedro is again the favourite for Motegi," Marquez said, pointing to Acosta's previous performances at the Japanese circuit.
The Ducati rider now expects the championship battle to remain closely contested through the final seven rounds, with Martin, Marquez, Bezzecchi and Acosta all in contention.
Martin, who regained the championship lead by finishing second in Austria, also acknowledged that Acosta could enter the title fight if he can maintain his current form during the upcoming Asian races.
"If Pedro continues winning like this weekend with this dominance, I think even he is in the fight," Martin said.
Acosta's victory therefore arrives at a crucial point in the season. After waiting 56 races for his first MotoGP win, the KTM rider has not only secured a major career milestone but also added another layer of uncertainty to an increasingly competitive championship fight.
