Pedro Acosta enjoyed a strong weekend in Buriram, winning the Saturday Sprint and finishing second in the Sunday Grand Prix after starting sixth on the grid on both days. His 32 points from the season opener put KTM seven points clear and made him the first KTM rider to lead the premier-class riders’ standings.

Acosta credited KTM’s off-season development and winter work — saying the team had recovered from a prior financial hit — and praised quicker garage decisions and a calmer approach fostered by crew chief Paul Trevathan’s video calls. The weekend underlined Acosta’s improved race execution: decisive overtakes, including one on Marc Márquez, better tire management and a more measured mindset. The Sprint win followed a controversial penalty for Márquez and broader steward interventions that left both Márquez and Acosta unhappy, while Marco Bezzecchi dominated Sunday’s main race to deny Acosta victory and extend Aprilia’s early momentum. Márquez suffered a late puncture or mechanical problem that cost him a top result, and Ducati (Borgo Panigale) endured mechanical and tire issues that ended its 88-race rostrum streak.

Acosta and KTM tempered expectations after the milestone weekend, stressing their priority is avoiding mistakes and aiming for consistency and regular top-five finishes rather than expecting every round to be equally strong. They warned the title fight remains wide open with Ducati and Aprilia competitive, and several reports cautioned a Sprint is not the same test as a full Grand Prix, so further confirmation will be needed as the season now heads to Brazil’s Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna.

Sources