KTM’s Pedro Acosta Predicts Ducati’s Comeback at the Indonesian Grand Prix

As the MotoGP weekend unfolds at the scenic Mandalika circuit in Indonesia, KTM’s rising star, Pedro Acosta, expresses confidence that Ducati will soon regain its competitive edge, despite a challenging practice session. Following a triumphant 1-2 finish at the Japanese Grand Prix, the factory Ducati team faced an unexpected setback, showcasing a performance that fell short of expectations.

During Friday’s practice, newly crowned 2025 champion Marc Marquez faced difficulties, crashing twice during the afternoon session, marking the first time this season he failed to qualify directly for Q2. His teammate, Francesco Bagnaia, finished in a disappointing 17th place—an outcome reminiscent of his earlier struggles before his breakthrough performance in Japan.

Ducati’s Practice Struggles and Emerging Competitors

In a surprising twist, the top performer for Ducati in practice was Gresini rookie Fermin Aldeguer, who secured second place. However, he ended the session four-tenths of a second slower than the leading Aprilia rider, Marco Bezzecchi. Aldeguer’s teammate, Alex Marquez, was the only other Ducati rider to break into the top 10, while the VR46 team also struggled to keep pace with the frontrunners.

Despite this lackluster performance, KTM’s Acosta remains optimistic about Ducati’s potential for a comeback over the course of the weekend. He finished practice in third place, trailing only behind Bezzecchi and Aldeguer.

Acosta articulated his thoughts on Ducati’s performance, stating, “We are one step behind Ducati and one step behind Aprilia with Marco.” When asked about the reasons behind KTM’s position relative to Ducati, he highlighted the previous year’s Indonesian Grand Prix, where Bagnaia overcame a slow start to claim victory in the sprint race.

“Give [them] time. Everything is a matter of time,” Acosta remarked. “They also struggled last year. If you look back, Pecco didn’t make it to Q2, yet somehow he won the sprint on Saturday. We know that Ducati has speed.”

Ducati’s Resilience and the Competitive Landscape

When discussing the fact that only Gresini Ducatis managed to secure spots in the top 10, Acosta responded, “It doesn’t matter. Ducati is there. Marc and Pecco have a lot of possibilities to advance to Q2. There are also two Aprilias and three Hondas in the mix.”

Acosta’s remarks underscore the competitive nature of MotoGP, where multiple riders and teams are consistently pushing the limits. “There are many guys riding fast now. I don’t know [what is happening]. It would be interesting to see what unfolds,” he added.

Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo Offers Insights on Tire Performance

Adding another layer to the conversation, Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo, who secured a respectable seventh place despite facing his own set of challenges, expressed that the competitive dynamic on Friday might have been distorted due to the riders’ unfamiliarity with Michelin’s new tire casing for the Lombok circuit.

“We usually see Ducati taking the top three positions. For the first time, they are not at the front, and it’s not just a one-time occurrence; they are experiencing difficulties,” Quartararo noted. “For me, Aldeguer being second doesn’t indicate that they are completely suffering.”

He emphasized that the struggles stemmed from the new rear tire, which affects rider confidence. “Some riders adapt to the tire better than others, but I don’t think it’s a specific issue with any bike,” he explained.

Quartararo also highlighted the presence of three Yamahas in Q2, indicating a positive sign for his team. “Once we began practice, I wasn’t expecting to make it into Q2, but in the end, Miguel [Oliveira] and Alex [Rins] also made it, which was quite impressive,” he shared.

Anticipation for Ducati’s Performance on Saturday

Looking ahead, Alex Marquez, another competitor, shares Acosta’s belief that the factory Ducati team, especially Bagnaia, will bounce back on Saturday. He reflected on Bagnaia’s performance in 2023, where he also struggled to qualify, landing in 13th place, one of his worst showings. However, Bagnaia managed to recover on race day, securing a remarkable victory that contributed to his second MotoGP championship title.

“It’s all about how the riders feel on the bike,” Alex Marquez explained. “We also saw numerous yellow flags during practice. Other Ducatis, like Marc and Morbidelli, showed good pace and speed.”

While acknowledging that some riders, including Diggia and Pecco, appeared to struggle more than others, Marquez reminded everyone that Friday is just the start of the weekend. “There’s a different casing on the rear tire, so we need to be patient and see how things evolve tomorrow,” he urged.

He expressed his expectations for Bagnaia, noting that historically, he has improved significantly from Friday to Saturday and Sunday. “It’s important to take these initial results with a grain of salt and not jump to conclusions,” he added.

The Road Ahead for the Indonesian Grand Prix

As the anticipation builds for the remainder of the Indonesian Grand Prix weekend, the MotoGP paddock is abuzz with speculation and excitement. Ducati, despite its rocky start, remains a formidable player. With the insights shared by Acosta, Quartararo, and Marquez, it’s clear that the dynamics of the race can shift rapidly.

The performance in practice may not always be indicative of race day outcomes, as the teams continue to adapt to tire changes and track conditions. With the inherent unpredictability of MotoGP, fans and teams alike are eager to see how the weekend unfolds.

As we draw closer to qualifying and the races ahead, the conversations surrounding performance, tire strategies, and rider confidence will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the outcomes at Mandalika. Ducati’s resilience, paired with the competitive spirit of teams like KTM and Yamaha, promises an exciting showdown as the best riders in the world vie for glory on the iconic Indonesian track.

With each session, the stakes rise, and the pressure mounts, creating an exhilarating atmosphere that is a hallmark of MotoGP racing. The upcoming days will test the limits of both riders and machines as they push for the ultimate prize in one of the most prestigious motorsport championships globally. All eyes will be on the track as the riders navigate the twists and turns of Mandalika, striving to etch their names in the annals of MotoGP history.