Acosta and KTM: an unfinished fairytale journey to MotoGP™

motogp.com

01 Jun 2024

The two-time World Champion has been confirmed as a factory KTM rider for 2025 as the fruitful relationship between the Spaniard and Austrians continues

2020: Red Bull Rookies Cup winner

Having finished second in the 2019 edition, Acosta won the first six races of the 2020 campaign on his way to claiming the coveted title. Not that we knew it yet, but this would be his first of two (and counting) in the famous Red Bull KTM colours.

Pedro Acosta, Rookies Spielberg Race 2

2021: A rookie Moto3™ title-winning campaign

Finishing second in his debut Grand Prix race and then winning that race from pitlane in Doha a week later just about set the tone for what we’ve seen from Acosta since. He became the first rookie in 73 years to finish on the podium in his first four World Championship races, the youngest Spanish World Champion and only the second rider to win a title in his first Grand Prix season. A star was born.

2022 – 2023: 10 wins and a second title in Moto2™

Promoted to Moto2™ for his second World Championship season with Red Bull KTM Ajo, three wins and five podiums saw Acosta finish P5 in his debut – but that wasn’t enough. Not even close. The following year saw Acosta claim seven wins and 14 podiums on his route to winning a second Championship title in three years, as MotoGP™ beckoned.

UNHEARD: "You remind me of a certain rider who finished third in his first race!"

Podium trio Jorge Martin, Enea Bastianini, and Pedro Acosta unpack the Portuguese GP in the cooldown room after a dramatic race

2024 and beyond: A rookie sensation and a factory promotion

Two Sunday podiums and two Tissot Sprint podiums in Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 colours is just a small part of Acosta’s astonishing MotoGP™ rookie campaign. Acting as the lead Pierer Mobility Group rider in the Championship heading to the Italian GP, KTM named the #31 as a factory rider for 2025 and beyond.

What we’ve seen from Acosta so far is a snippet of what’s to come. And in 2025, the journey from Red Bull MotoGP™ Rookies Cup winner to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider will be complete.

However, what isn’t complete is the success story. At 20 years of age, the Murcia-born star boy is just getting started.