{"id":1899665,"date":"2026-04-23T16:01:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T13:01:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1899665"},"modified":"2026-04-23T16:01:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T13:01:17","slug":"why-the-2026-ktm-motogp-bike-is-designed-for-pedro-acosta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1899665","title":{"rendered":"Why the 2026 KTM MotoGP bike is \u201cdesigned for\u201d Pedro Acosta"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305972_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>Why the 2026 KTM MotoGP bike is \u201cdesigned for\u201d Pedro Acosta<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Pedro Acosta feels the 2026 MotoGP KTM is \u201cmore designed for me\u201d than the previous versions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Alex Whitworth <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-04-23T17:01:17+01:00\">23 Apr 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305972_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305972_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305972_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305972_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305972_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305972_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305972_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305972_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305972_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Pedro Acosta, 2026 MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix, pre-event press conference. Credit: Gold and\u2026<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0Gold &amp; Goose<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source-cta\">  Add as a preferred source <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Pedro Acosta\u2019s improved consistency in 2026 is partly down to a KTM MotoGP bike that is \u201cmore designed for me\u201d, the Murcian feels.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Acosta became the first KTM rider to lead the MotoGP riders\u2019 standings after the Thai Grand Prix, where he won the Sprint and finished second in the Sunday race.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Since then he\u2019s been back on the podium once more, finishing third in the US Grand Prix almost a month ago, and he arrives at this weekend\u2019s Spanish Grand Prix (24\u201326 April) still in the top-three in the standings, behind only the two factory Aprilia riders.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Acosta\u2019s biggest problem in 2025 was consistency. In the beginning of the year he crashed a lot, then he spent a while rebuilding his confidence, before ending the year with podiums in each of the last four Sprints and in three of the last five grands prix.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">He\u2019s started this season with two podiums from the first three races and the other race, Brazil, he was much more competitive than the other KTM riders, who filled the last three positions on the grid while Acosta himself was in Q2 and finished both races in the top-10.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">His improved performance at the start of this year compared to the start of 2025 is down to improvements made with the KTM RC16, not to increase its performance potential but to make it more \u201ccomfortable\u201d, in the words of Acosta.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWe made a very good step this winter, between the Valencia test and Sepang [test],\u201d Pedro Acosta said ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, as reported by the Spanish edition of Motorsport.com.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-20249b59a9ddf90999f76bbf3d8ee0307e80e99d7245a5bf924f691f7c2d6089\">  Pirelli: Tyre pressure controversy? MotoGP races should &#8216;finish&#8217; at the flag   Pedro Acosta \u201ccurious\u201d about 850cc, calendar &#8220;stress\u201d means shorter careers <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI asked for very clear things, not to go faster, to be more comfortable and avoid crashes.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cNow, in a 27-lap race I can push 24 and the rest survive.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIt gives me much more pace, it gives me confidence and I make fewer mistakes. That has been the big step from last year to now.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-8be44fa8c4902e3421a91664afe8b961b23cbf4eb12de2616fa7eaef361ede35\">  MotoGP tyre pressure rule \u201cabsurd\u201d must be \u201cchanged or abolished\u201d   MotoGP 2027 trade board: How the grid is shaping up, and who could miss out <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cYes, it is possible that it is a bike more designed for me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The 1,000cc era of MotoGP is over at the end of this season and KTM looks unlikely to win this year\u2019s title. Development is ongoing, though, and Acosta says he expects updates during Monday\u2019s post-race test.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI think there will be something new, whether it works or not, we&#8217;ll see,\u201d the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider said.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThese are very logical things, which we should have had for a long time, but they have arrived now.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cHopefully it will give us that little bit more. To be honest, it&#8217;s not that we&#8217;re half-a-second short as we were last year.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWe&#8217;re missing a tenth-and-a-half-or-two, but that, after 27 laps, makes a big difference. We have to close that gap little by little and see how far we go.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our MotoGP Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest MotoGP news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>In this article<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Pedro Acosta<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Red Bull KTM Factory Racing<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3>  Previous<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Debut date confirmed for first test of Aprilia&#8217;s 2027 MotoGP bike<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1289094_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1289094_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1289094_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1289094_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1289094_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1289094_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1289094_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1289094_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1289094_hires_1600x900.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-410a50104fd45c768f1b8e9c2a881eb15985e4ffd74967dabc3fa41ad42041d4\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/picture-100393850-1649415070.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/picture-100393850-1649415070.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/picture-100393850-1649415070.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Alex Whitworth<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">Journalist<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p>Alex joined the Crash.net team in August of 2024 having covered consumer and racing motorcycle news at Visordown for two years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>More News<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-aaf0a5d9cab5ed87bd587c7510889d7c44edc98c0b80f860ec73d56469d64b5a\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Return of key KTM MotoGP figure &#8220;a win in every respect&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1776077791\"> 13\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304024_hires_1600x900.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Pedro Acosta, 2026 US MotoGP.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Marc Marquez vs Pedro Acosta at Ducati? \u201cThe best riders don\u2019t care\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775980800\"> 12\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1295679_hires_1600x900.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Marc Marquez, Pedro Acosta, 2026 Thai MotoGP Sprint.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  Feature <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cOne of the darkest moments\u201d: Trevathan \u201cproud\u201d that Pol settled Portimao score &#8211; Exclusive <\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775820084\"> 10\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1280555_hires_1600x900.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Pol Espargaro, 2025 Portimao MotoGP.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Acosta could \u201crejuvenate\u201d Marc Marquez like Rossi vs Lorenzo<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775811618\"> 10\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1295245_hires_1600x900.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Pedro Acosta, Marc Marquez, 2026 Thai MotoGP.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>MotoGP engine guru set for swift KTM return from Honda?<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775664050\"> 08\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1296424_hires_1600x900.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"KTM RC16.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> MotoGP  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>KTM details Pedro Acosta\u2019s new MotoGP approach: \u201cThere was no middle ground\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775645330\"> 08\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304322_hires_1600x900.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Pedro Acosta, 2026 US MotoGP.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col second-column\">\n<div class=\"sticky\">\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our MotoGP Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info\">\n<p>Get the latest MotoGP news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Pedro Acosta feels the 2026 MotoGP KTM is \u201cmore designed for me\u201d than the previous versions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Pedro Acosta\u2019s improved consistency in 2026 is partly down to a KTM MotoGP bike that is \u201cmore designed for me\u201d, the Murcian feels.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Acosta became the first KTM rider to lead the MotoGP riders\u2019 standings after the Thai Grand Prix, where he won the Sprint and finished second in the Sunday race.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Since then he\u2019s been back on the podium once more, finishing third in the US Grand Prix almost a month ago, and he arrives at this weekend\u2019s Spanish Grand Prix (24\u201326 April) still in the top-three in the standings, behind only the two factory Aprilia riders.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Acosta\u2019s biggest problem in 2025 was consistency. In the beginning of the year he crashed a lot, then he spent a while rebuilding his confidence, before ending the year with podiums in each of the last four Sprints and in three of the last five grands prix.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">He\u2019s started this season with two podiums from the first three races and the other race, Brazil, he was much more competitive than the other KTM riders, who filled the last three positions on the grid while Acosta himself was in Q2 and finished both races in the top-10.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">His improved performance at the start of this year compared to the start of 2025 is down to improvements made with the KTM RC16, not to increase its performance potential but to make it more \u201ccomfortable\u201d, in the words of Acosta.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWe made a very good step this winter, between the Valencia test and Sepang [test],\u201d Pedro Acosta said ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, as reported by the Spanish edition of Motorsport.com.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-20249b59a9ddf90999f76bbf3d8ee0307e80e99d7245a5bf924f691f7c2d6089\">  Pirelli: Tyre pressure controversy? MotoGP races should &#8216;finish&#8217; at the flag   Pedro Acosta \u201ccurious\u201d about 850cc, calendar &#8220;stress\u201d means shorter careers <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI asked for very clear things, not to go faster, to be more comfortable and avoid crashes.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cNow, in a 27-lap race I can push 24 and the rest survive.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIt gives me much more pace, it gives me confidence and I make fewer mistakes. That has been the big step from last year to now.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-8be44fa8c4902e3421a91664afe8b961b23cbf4eb12de2616fa7eaef361ede35\">  MotoGP tyre pressure rule \u201cabsurd\u201d must be \u201cchanged or abolished\u201d   MotoGP 2027 trade board: How the grid is shaping up, and who could miss out <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cYes, it is possible that it is a bike more designed for me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The 1,000cc era of MotoGP is over at the end of this season and KTM looks unlikely to win this year\u2019s title. Development is ongoing, though, and Acosta says he expects updates during Monday\u2019s post-race test.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI think there will be something new, whether it works or not, we&#8217;ll see,\u201d the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider said.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThese are very logical things, which we should have had for a long time, but they have arrived now.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cHopefully it will give us that little bit more. To be honest, it&#8217;s not that we&#8217;re half-a-second short as we were last year.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWe&#8217;re missing a tenth-and-a-half-or-two, but that, after 27 laps, makes a big difference. We have to close that gap little by little and see how far we go.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our MotoGP Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest MotoGP news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Pedro Acosta\u2019s improved consistency in 2026 is partly down to a KTM MotoGP bike that is \u201cmore designed for me\u201d, the Murcian feels.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Acosta became the first KTM rider to lead the MotoGP riders\u2019 standings after the Thai Grand Prix, where he won the Sprint and finished second in the Sunday race.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Since then he\u2019s been back on the podium once more, finishing third in the US Grand Prix almost a month ago, and he arrives at this weekend\u2019s Spanish Grand Prix (24\u201326 April) still in the top-three in the standings, behind only the two factory Aprilia riders.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Acosta\u2019s biggest problem in 2025 was consistency. In the beginning of the year he crashed a lot, then he spent a while rebuilding his confidence, before ending the year with podiums in each of the last four Sprints and in three of the last five grands prix.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">He\u2019s started this season with two podiums from the first three races and the other race, Brazil, he was much more competitive than the other KTM riders, who filled the last three positions on the grid while Acosta himself was in Q2 and finished both races in the top-10.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">His improved performance at the start of this year compared to the start of 2025 is down to improvements made with the KTM RC16, not to increase its performance potential but to make it more \u201ccomfortable\u201d, in the words of Acosta.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWe made a very good step this winter, between the Valencia test and Sepang [test],\u201d Pedro Acosta said ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, as reported by the Spanish edition of Motorsport.com.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-20249b59a9ddf90999f76bbf3d8ee0307e80e99d7245a5bf924f691f7c2d6089\">  Pirelli: Tyre pressure controversy? MotoGP races should &#8216;finish&#8217; at the flag   Pedro Acosta \u201ccurious\u201d about 850cc, calendar &#8220;stress\u201d means shorter careers <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI asked for very clear things, not to go faster, to be more comfortable and avoid crashes.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cNow, in a 27-lap race I can push 24 and the rest survive.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIt gives me much more pace, it gives me confidence and I make fewer mistakes. That has been the big step from last year to now.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-8be44fa8c4902e3421a91664afe8b961b23cbf4eb12de2616fa7eaef361ede35\">  MotoGP tyre pressure rule \u201cabsurd\u201d must be \u201cchanged or abolished\u201d   MotoGP 2027 trade board: How the grid is shaping up, and who could miss out <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cYes, it is possible that it is a bike more designed for me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The 1,000cc era of MotoGP is over at the end of this season and KTM looks unlikely to win this year\u2019s title. Development is ongoing, though, and Acosta says he expects updates during Monday\u2019s post-race test.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI think there will be something new, whether it works or not, we&#8217;ll see,\u201d the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider said.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThese are very logical things, which we should have had for a long time, but they have arrived now.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cHopefully it will give us that little bit more. To be honest, it&#8217;s not that we&#8217;re half-a-second short as we were last year.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWe&#8217;re missing a tenth-and-a-half-or-two, but that, after 27 laps, makes a big difference. We have to close that gap little by little and see how far we go.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our MotoGP Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest MotoGP news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/motogp\/news\/1093327\/1\/why-2026-ktm-motogp-bike-designed-pedro-acosta&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305972_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] Why the 2026 KTM MotoGP bike is \u201cdesigned for\u201d Pedro Acosta Pedro Acosta feels the 2026 MotoGP KTM is \u201cmore designed for me\u201d than the previous versions. Alex Whitworth 23 Apr 2026 Share Pedro Acosta, 2026 MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix, pre-event press conference. Credit: Gold and\u2026 \u00a9\u00a0Gold &amp; Goose Add as a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-1899665","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1899665","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1899665"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1899665\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1899665"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1899665"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1899665"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}