Pedro Acosta Achieves Milestone with KTM at the Czech Grand Prix
In a significant turn of events during the 2025 MotoGP season, Pedro Acosta clinched a remarkable third-place finish at the Czech Grand Prix, marking both his and KTM’s inaugural podium of the year. Acosta’s impressive performance was complemented by a strong second-place finish in the Saturday sprint race, creating an encouraging atmosphere for KTM after a rocky start to the season.
Overcoming Early Season Challenges
The beginning of the 2025 MotoGP season has been challenging for the KTM team, with Acosta’s frustrations evident at times. However, finally achieving a podium finish lifted a considerable burden off the young rider’s shoulders. "This means a great deal to me," Acosta expressed during the post-race press conference. He elaborated on the difficulties faced earlier in the season, saying, "We have been through a lot, and to say the least, there was a lot of intensity among the team."
Acosta acknowledged that when strong personalities come together, discussions can become quite heated. "When you put two strong characters at the same table, there are times when things can get chaotic, but we need to take a step back and start over," he explained. The rider emphasized the progress made in recent weeks, stating, "Over the last couple of weekends, we have seen improvements. We are becoming more consistent and finding ourselves in the top five more frequently."
Looking Ahead
With a podium finish now under their belt, Acosta is optimistic about the future. "We need to maintain this momentum and continue improving. It’s just a matter of time before we see more positive developments for the bike, and we are eagerly awaiting our next challenge at the Red Bull Ring."
Thrilling Race Dynamics
In the latter stages of the race at Brno, Acosta faced pressure from Francesco Bagnaia, who was closing in on him. When asked about his level of effort during those final laps, Acosta responded, "I was giving it my all!" He recounted how, from laps ten to fifteen, he was closely behind Marco Bezzecchi but struggled with front tire grip, which hindered his ability to keep up. "I was dealing with some front tire issues, which made it tough to stay with him. So, I decided to manage the rear tire to have some extra grip for the final push," Acosta explained.
As Bagnaia began to loom closer, Acosta felt the urgency to push harder. "When I saw Pecco was only 0.8 seconds, then 0.6 seconds behind me, I knew it was time to give everything we had left. If we came up short, at least we tried our best," he said, highlighting his competitive spirit and determination.
KTM’s Growing Strength
The results from the Czech Grand Prix indicate a promising upward trend for KTM as a manufacturer. Alongside Acosta’s strong performance, Enea Bastianini from the Tech3 team also showcased a solid outing, finishing third in the sprint race. Additionally, all KTM riders finished within the top ten in the main race, showcasing the team’s collective progress.
Acosta shared insights into the factors contributing to KTM’s improvement, particularly in qualifying. "Throughout my career, I’ve faced challenges in qualifying sessions," he admitted. "However, now we consistently manage to place ourselves on the third row, which, while not perfect, is a significant step up from past seasons."
Mastering the Ride and Electronics
Acosta also reflected on how his experiences from the previous season have shaped his current performance. "Last year, I was fast, but I often struggled at the end of races due to not fully understanding how to utilize the bike’s electronics, which impacted my riding style," he noted. He emphasized the importance of the work being done during testing sessions, both on the track and at home, to enhance his understanding of the bike’s systems.
Conclusion
With the Czech Grand Prix now behind them, Pedro Acosta and KTM are looking forward to building on this momentum. The combination of his competitive drive, the team’s collaborative efforts, and the ongoing improvements in bike performance provides a strong foundation for future races. As the season progresses, fans and followers of MotoGP can anticipate more thrilling performances from Acosta and the KTM team, especially as they prepare for the upcoming challenges ahead.