Pedro Acosta Achieves 9th Place in First Experience with MotoGP Speed in Argentina

Pedro Acosta secured 9th place in MotoGP’s Sprint race at Termas de Rio Hondo after qualifying 5th. Enea Bastianini finished 14th, and Brad Binder faced a DNF due to a crash. The race, hampered by low-grip conditions, revealed areas for improvement for the KTM riders. Team Manager Aki Ajo emphasized the need for further analysis ahead of future races.

Pedro Acosta, representing Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, achieved a commendable 9th place finish in the second Sprint of the 2025 MotoGP season, held at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit in Argentina. Having qualified 5th, Acosta’s performance in the 12-lap race demonstrated his capacity to navigate the complexities of the track while contending with varying traction conditions. Notably, Enea Bastianini finished 14th, and Brad Binder faced an unfortunate DNF in the Sprint after a crash on the first lap.

Under the cooler weather conditions in Argentina, this MotoGP round marked the return of the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit after a year’s absence. The nearly 5km track presented challenging low-grip conditions during Friday’s Practice and the Sprint on Saturday. Acosta, despite being a newcomer to the circuit, efficiently adapted to the track’s markers and trajectories, proving his talents alongside his teammate Binder, who had also shown promise in Friday’s session.

Both Maverick Viñales and Enea Bastianini faced difficulties during qualifying, ending up in 20th and 21st positions respectively. The Sprint, mirroring half the distance of a full Grand Prix, provided a platform for Acosta to push through the ranks, achieving a high of 5th position before concluding the race in 9th place. Binder’s race ended prematurely due to contact with another rider, while Bastianini and Viñales managed to finish in the 14th and 18th spots, respectively.

Following the qualifying session, Team Manager Aki Ajo expressed mixed feelings about the results, noting that while there were improvements compared to prior performances, the outcome of the Sprint necessitated further analysis and adjustments. Both Acosta and Binder acknowledged the challenges they faced, with Acosta indicating the need for enhanced traction to maximize their performance in future races.

The MotoGP weekend concluded with impressive showings in the lower classes, with several KTM riders positioning themselves favorably on the starting grid for Moto3 and Moto2, setting the stage for competitive racing on Sunday.

In summary, Pedro Acosta’s 9th place finish is notable as it reflects his rapid adaptation to MotoGP challenges, while the mixed results for his teammates and competitors highlight the competitiveness and unpredictability of the sport. Team Manager Aki Ajo’s commitment to analyzing performance will be crucial in refining strategies for upcoming races. The positive outcomes in the Moto3 and Moto2 events suggest a promising future for the KTM teams across all divisions.

Original Source: www.totalmotorcycle.com