Pedro Acosta is set to make one of the biggest moves of the MotoGP rider market, with the young Spaniard reportedly joining the factory Ducati team for the 2027 season.
But according to KTM CEO Gottfried Neumeister, the move is not primarily about money or even the promise of a more competitive motorcycle. Acosta's motivation is much simpler: he wants the chance to beat Marc Márquez on the same machinery.
Acosta is expected to replace Francesco Bagnaia at Ducati, potentially creating a blockbuster partnership with Márquez, who currently leads the factory team.
Neumeister revealed that Acosta made his intentions clear during their final conversation. Even if KTM produced the stronger bike for MotoGP's new 850cc era, Acosta reportedly said his priority was to have the same equipment as Márquez and prove he could beat the eight-time world champion.
The decision is a major blow for KTM, which has supported Acosta throughout his rise through the junior categories and into MotoGP. Neumeister admitted that losing the 21-year-old was difficult, but also recognised the competitive ambition behind his decision.
The KTM boss has not ruled out a reunion in the future, suggesting that Acosta could one day return to the manufacturer that helped develop his career.
Source: Motorsport Week
For Márquez, however, the prospect of a direct fight with Acosta does not appear to be a major focus at this stage of his career.
Asked about Acosta's reported ambition to challenge him on equal machinery, Márquez played down the significance of the potential rivalry.
"No, it's not my battle right now. I'm already in another position in my career," Márquez said.
The contrast between the two riders is clear. Acosta is still establishing himself among MotoGP's elite and wants to measure himself directly against one of the sport's most decorated riders. Márquez, meanwhile, is at a different stage of his career after years at the top of the championship.
If the reported 2027 Ducati switch goes ahead, the pair could eventually find themselves on identical machinery, setting up one of the most intriguing rider matchups of MotoGP's new era.
