Acosta Eyes Elusive First MotoGP Victory at Valencia Finale

Pedro Acosta’s impressive performance during Friday practice at the Valencia Grand Prix has reignited speculation about whether the young KTM rider will finally secure his first MotoGP victory. The anticipation surrounding Acosta’s potential breakthrough has been building throughout his rookie season, especially as other newcomers have already reached the top step of the podium.

Acosta’s emergence as a top contender in MotoGP has been closely watched since his arrival in the premier class. The 20-year-old Spaniard, riding for Red Bull GASGAS Tech3, has demonstrated remarkable skill and adaptability, quickly becoming a consistent presence near the front of the grid. His aggressive riding style and ability to extract the maximum from his KTM machine have drawn comparisons to established stars like Marc Marquez.

However, despite several strong performances and podium finishes, Acosta has yet to achieve the coveted first win. This has led to increased external pressure, particularly as rookies like Fermin Aldeguer (Gresini) and Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse) have already tasted victory this season. Aldeguer’s impressive win in Indonesia and Fernandez’s triumph in Australia have amplified the expectations surrounding Acosta.

Despite the external pressure, Acosta has maintained a focused approach, steadily building momentum and consistently delivering strong results. Over the past five race weekends, he has consistently secured podium finishes in either the sprint race or the main grand prix, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure and adapt to varying track conditions.

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During the recent flyaway rounds, Acosta openly acknowledged that the final two European races, Portimao and Valencia, presented KTM’s best opportunities to return to the top step of the podium. In Portimao, he dominated the sprint race, leading for a significant portion before ultimately losing out to Alex Marquez. In the main race, he secured a respectable third-place finish, demonstrating his consistency and ability to manage tire wear.

Now, Valencia offers Acosta the final chance to secure his maiden MotoGP victory this season. His strong showing in Friday practice, topping the timesheets with a time of 1:30.781, has further fueled expectations. Acosta’s early flying lap placed him ahead of Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi, setting the stage for a potentially thrilling weekend.

Considering that Acosta had only one previous day of MotoGP running at Valencia, during his first official test at the end of 2023, his performance in Friday practice was particularly impressive. The Circuit Ricardo Tormo, with its tight and twisty layout, appears to suit Acosta’s aggressive riding style and the characteristics of the KTM RC16.

However, despite his strong showing, Acosta remains cautious about his chances, emphasizing the intense competition and the narrow margins separating the riders. He noted that the top 19 riders were within one second of each other, highlighting the high level of competition in MotoGP.

"The problem here is that everything is super tight – it’s ridiculous," Acosta said. "I think one second [covers] 19 guys. With one replier [replacement rider] and one guy that was missing a lot of races like [Jorge] Martin, it’s ridiculous that we are in one second. You can imagine how high the level of MotoGP is at the moment."

Acosta also acknowledged that he and his team faced challenges in optimizing their time attacks with the soft front tire, suggesting that there is still room for improvement. Despite this, he expressed satisfaction with their progress, emphasizing their focus on race pace and tire life.

"It’s true that we were having a lot of problems making the time attacks with the soft front and maybe [it was] unexpected," Acosta said. "But anyway, we have to be happy. We were working a lot on race pace and on tyre life. But there’s still a lot of work to do because many things are unexpected at the moment."

While acknowledging that KTM has some issues to address overnight, Acosta is also aware that the Circuit Ricardo Tormo is better-suited to the RC16 than many of the venues that closed out the flyaway stretch. The track’s stop-and-go nature, with its emphasis on braking and acceleration, appears to favor the KTM’s strengths.

Brad Binder, Acosta’s teammate, also had a positive day, finishing within half a second of the outright pace, despite struggling with one-lap pace throughout the year. This further underscores the KTM’s potential at the Valencia circuit.

"Here we arrived at a track that is better for us, maybe," Acosta explained. "If you check the last couple tracks, we have this Turn 2 in Indonesia that is super fast and our bike is not turning. Then we went to Phillip Island where we destroyed the tyres, and these long corners are not our favourite ones."

He further elaborated on the specific challenges posed by recent circuits, noting that the long straights and acceleration zones in Malaysia led to excessive tire wear, while the fast final corner in Portugal did not suit the KTM’s characteristics.

"In Malaysia, you have these two long straights with long acceleration and you are burning the tyres. And then we arrived in Portugal and it looked like our bike was not that fast like Ducati or Aprilia in the last corner," Acosta said.

He believes that the Valencia circuit’s layout, with its emphasis on braking and acceleration, plays to the KTM’s strengths, allowing him to manage tire wear more effectively.

"Here, it looks like we have to stop the bike more and then accelerate. It’s another way to ride the bike. It looks like our [bike] is becoming better because I don’t lose the rear much, and everything is easier to understand. I know, more or less, more where the tyres are and how to try to manage [them]," Acosta said.

Tire wear will undoubtedly play a crucial role in determining the outcome of Sunday’s race, and the Malaysian weekend demonstrated KTM’s ability to manage tire degradation effectively when needed. However, Acosta’s chances of securing a first MotoGP win also depend on the performance of his rivals.

Alex Marquez, the younger brother of Marc Marquez, spent a significant portion of Friday practice testing a new 2025-specification aero package. It remains to be seen whether he will continue to focus on testing throughout the weekend, which could potentially impact his competitiveness in the race.

Marco Bezzecchi, riding for Aprilia, appears to be a more immediate threat to Acosta. Aprilia has historically struggled at Portimao, but the more versatile 2025 RS-GP suggests that Bezzecchi could be a genuine contender this year. Bezzecchi’s experience and aggressive riding style make him a formidable opponent, and his performance in Friday practice indicates that he will be a factor in the race.

Acosta’s quest for his first MotoGP victory is not just about personal achievement; it also represents a significant milestone for KTM. The Austrian manufacturer has invested heavily in its MotoGP program, and Acosta’s success would validate their efforts and further solidify their position as a top contender in the championship.

KTM’s commitment to developing young talent is evident in their support for Acosta. They have provided him with the resources and technical expertise necessary to compete at the highest level, and his rapid progress is a testament to their development program.

The Valencia Grand Prix is the final race of the 2024 MotoGP season, and it promises to be a thrilling conclusion to a highly competitive championship. With several riders vying for victory and the championship already decided, the focus will be on individual performances and the pursuit of personal milestones.

Acosta’s pursuit of his first MotoGP win will undoubtedly be one of the main storylines of the weekend. His talent, combined with the KTM’s potential at the Valencia circuit, makes him a strong contender. Whether he can overcome the intense competition and secure the victory remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Acosta will be giving it his all.

The racing community eagerly awaits the outcome of the Valencia Grand Prix, where Acosta has a golden opportunity to etch his name in MotoGP history and mark the start of what could be a long and successful career. His performance throughout the weekend will be closely watched, not just by fans but by the entire MotoGP paddock, as they witness the emergence of a potential future champion.