Pedro Acosta seeks KTM setup gains after mixed Motegi start
NXTbets Pro | Published On: October 2, 2026
Acosta at Motegi
Pedro Acosta arrived at the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi with fresh confidence after his first premier-class victory in Austria, a result he said lifted a weight off his shoulders. The KTM rider said he felt better back on the bike than he had in 2025 and that the win gave the team a clearer sense of direction. He said KTM had found a solid baseline setup after Austria, but the details still needed work. He also said the team had made an unexpected step forward with its electronics, a sign that the package is moving in the right direction even if it is not complete. Motegi came with some uncertainty for Acosta, though. He said the new asphalt, the tires and the bike setup made it hard to know exactly where he stood before the weekend fully developed. He still liked the circuit, though. Acosta said Motegi suited his riding style, and he pointed to his pole position there in 2024 as proof that the track can play to his strengths. He also acknowledged the other side of that record, saying he had not finished well there before. That mix of confidence and caution set the tone for his weekend, as he tried to keep himself close to the podium without overreaching.
Motegi pace
Acosta showed enough speed early to stay in the fight at Motegi, even if the first sessions left him with work to do. He finished second in pre-qualifying behind Marc Márquez and Álex Márquez, a sharp start that kept him near the front of the order. In FP1, he ended up 10th and more than seven-tenths of a second slower than Marc Márquez’s 1:44.073 benchmark, though he still led the KTM group in the session. Brad Binder placed 17th, with Maverick Viñales 18th and Enea Bastianini 19th, a reminder that the Austrian brand still had ground to make up across its lineup. Acosta said Marc Márquez, Álex Márquez, the two factory Aprilias and Pecco Bagnaia were the main threats at Motegi, and he was careful not to turn one strong result into a bigger promise than the weekend could support. He said he did not think he could win yet because other riders usually find more pace overnight. That view matched his overall approach. Acosta said he should not think too much about another win this weekend and instead keep his focus on steady progress. He wanted to stay close to the podium, keep the pressure on the front group and give KTM a chance to build on the gains it had already made.
Third-place target
Acosta’s bigger goal remains clear. He said his aim for the season is to finish third in the championship, and he arrived at Motegi 72 points behind Jorge Martin with that target still within reach. He said he could not afford mistakes before the championship returned to Europe, which gave his weekend in Japan extra weight even without the pressure of a title fight. The Austria victory changed the mood around him, but it did not change the standard he set for himself. He said he wants to finish in the top five in every race and help KTM get strong results. That approach leaves little room for wild swings. It also explains why he treated Motegi as a place to manage expectations, not chase headlines. He said he had no big expectations because so many variables were still unknown, but he wanted to stay in touch with the podium fight and keep the season moving in the right direction. Michael Laverty backed up that measured view, saying he was not overly concerned about Acosta’s pace, that Motegi could still suit him and that KTM may need to adjust the bike’s base package. Acosta’s response to his Austrian breakthrough captured the mood around him. “Did I break through after the win? Keep your fingers crossed for me!” Even with that surge of belief, he kept his focus on the same practical target, clean weekends, steady speed and no wasted points.
