Jerez hosts three days of private MotoGP testing with Michelin and Pirelli tyres
Three of MotoGP’s five manufacturers are holding a three-day test at Jerez this week, with 2027 Pirelli tyres at their disposal. After completing the two official pre-season tests at Sepang (3–5 February) and Buriram (21–22 February), plus the season-opening Thailand Grand Prix at the beginning of March, Aprilia, KTM and Yanaha have sent their test […]
Why KTM’s MotoGP challenge may no longer be a one-man Pedro Acosta show
KTM’s MotoGP attack appears better balanced heading into 2026, with Brad Binder and Maverick Vinales in particular looking far closer to their true potential. The Austrian factory had grown overly reliant on Pedro Acosta last season, who scored almost double the points of the next-best RC16 rider in the standings. Although the Spaniard wasn’t arguably […]
Pedro Acosta found Ducati and Aprilia’s pace “scary” in MotoGP testing
KTM’s Pedro Acosta conceded that Ducati and Aprilia hold a clear advantage over the rest of the competition, describing their long-run pace in the Buriram MotoGP test as “scary”. Pre-season testing for 2026 concluded in Thailand on Sunday, with Aprilia and Ducati riders locking out the top five spots in the classification. Acosta was the […]
Pedro Acosta rates Sepang MotoGP test “six out of 10” despite KTM gains
Pedro Acosta would rate his Sepang MotoGP test appearance a six out of 10, as he continues to evaluate where KTM stands in the competitive order ahead of the 2026 season. The Austrian manufacturer heads into the upcoming campaign on a much stronger footing than last year, buoyed by an intensive development push over the winter. […]
Why KTM riders see encouraging signs after first day of Sepang test
The opening day of the Sepang MotoGP test offered KTM plenty of reasons for encouragement, even if it remains too early to draw firm conclusions about the true performance of the 2026 RC16. The Austrian manufacturer took an aggressive development approach over the winter, with greater stability at its Mattighofen headquarters allowing it to push […]
Gresini is the most solid option, but this may be a time to take a risk.
Alex Marquez, who is finalising his signing with KTM’s factory team for 2027, believes that more than half of the MotoGP grid will have their contracts settled before the first race of the season. The younger Marquez’s market value has increased exponentially since he finished runner-up in the 2025 standings. At 29 years of age, and […]
KTM’s 2026 MotoGP bike feels «like built from zero»
Pedro Acosta says the scale of upgrades KTM has introduced over the winter makes him feel as though the Austrian manufacturer has built an entirely new MotoGP bike from scratch. Although there are serious doubts over whether Acosta will remain with KTM in the next rule cycle, there is growing optimism within the team about […]
Alex Marquez targeting factory MotoGP seat at Yamaha and KTM
Alex Marquez is chasing a factory seat in MotoGP for 2027 following his breakthrough campaign in MotoGP last year. After spending much of his career in the shadow of his older brother Marc Marquez, the Gresini rider emerged runner-up in 2025 with an impressive campaign that included three grand prix victories, three Sprint wins, twelve […]
Why KTM thinks it «hasn’t done enough yet» to retain Pedro Acosta in MotoGP
KTM boss Pit Beirer has admitted the manufacturer has not yet «done enough» to convince Pedro Acosta to stay beyond 2026, but is confident it can show significant progress on track this season. Acosta was groomed by KTM through the junior ranks and has become a central figure in its MotoGP programme, but his long-term […]