RiderTua.com – KTM MotoGP technical boss Sebastian Risse is impressed with the extraordinary early performance shown by rookie Pedro Acosta in the premier class. But he admitted he was not surprised by that. The young talent who currently rides the RC16 for the Tech3 GASGAS team has finished in the top 3 three times in the last 3 series. Namely the podium at the Portimao GP (finished 3rd) and the podium at the American GP (finished 2nd) and finished 2nd in the Jerez sprint race. Currently Acosta is ranked 4th in the world championship and is the top KTM rider.
“Honestly, I’m not surprised but I’m very, very impressed. In other classes we can see how quickly this rider learns. How adaptive he is. But with other riders, we have seen that switching to MotoGP is a different thing. It can go either way ,” said Risse.
Pedro Acosta is Not an Ordinary Rider
Sebastian Risse added that usually we have to force a beginner to stay calm, maintain the set-up of the bike, not reverse it, and instead have to learn. Pedro is just the opposite. He is very satisfied with his bike and what he has. Acosta is passionate about getting good results and focuses on everything he can do, before reacting to technical matters. “He’s very calm and very confident,” Risse said.
What makes Pedro Acosta special on the track? Risse replied that Acosta has a very unique racing style. He was very late when braking (late braking). But he was also very calm, very self-controlled. He is also able to stop his bike well, even though he doesn’t need a bike that can stop well. Then, he has a very unique style of using his body to control the bike when cornering.”
“These two aspects make him very unique. I’m sure he will fight for the title, but it’s too early to talk about when. We need to give him time. He needs to take time. And really bring out his maximum potential in this class. And I’m sure he will win,” continued Risse.
Looking at the RC16 project more broadly, Risse feels they have a very strong engine or perhaps even the strongest at the moment. KTM/GasGas have also fixed their weaknesses from last year’s aero, but maintained their strengths.
Unlike Aprilia, KTM has never won a sprint race or main race this season. However, in the constructors’ standings, KTM is ranked 2nd after Ducati. Risse revealed that currently, it seems like they are the second strongest manufacturer. Their best riders, however, are usually the first non-Ducati riders. But that means, they have to find a step to really fight Ducati’s top riders.
“We know, we have predicted that this will not be easy. Everyone is trying very hard. We experience ups and downs. What is special and typical about KTM is that we have very high targets. We will win. KTM just needs time,” concluded Risse optimistic.
