Pedro Acosta's Riding Style Evolution Sets KTM Benchmark

Pedro Acosta is the only KTM rider who can regularly mix it at the front in the 2026 MotoGP season. His evolved riding style, now significantly smoother and more controlled, has established him as the clear benchmark for the Austrian marque's RC16.

At the season opener in Thailand, Acosta won the sprint and finished second in the grand prix. He took his first MotoGP victory at KTM's home race in Spielberg. Further podiums have followed, including second in the Barcelona sprint and double second places in Hungary. In the grands prix at Aragon and Misano, he stood on the podium in second and third. His performance far outshines his two fellow marque riders who have contested all the races.

Acosta is in his second year in the premier class. He recognises his style has progressed. "I am riding much more smoothly than before in terms of body position," he said. He estimates that in 90 percent of situations this season he has tried to stay much calmer than in the past. His lines are still tighter than others', but not as extreme as before.

The mechanics behind Acosta's edge

His special style combines hard and late braking without losing rear-wheel contact. He also uses an early turn-in, contrary to the textbook racing line, which allows him to bend the bike around the corner. Sebastian Risse, KTM's technical director, has watched this style develop up close. "Pedro has traditionally had quite a special riding style." Risse noted. This approach comes from instinct and feel built over years, not from a checklist. Acosta admits the old, more extreme version of his style sometimes resurfaces and ruins everything.

Teammates struggle to replicate the formula

Other KTM riders are trying to copy Acosta's method because it is currently the way to be fast on the RC16. Their attempts have not gone smoothly. Sebastian Risse said other riders feel that Acosta's style is now the only way to be fast on the bike but it does not work for them. The attempts lack the necessary smoothness and cohesion. Brad Binder is working on changing his own style, with race weekends focused on making him faster. Risse observes that Binder’s performance is partly on a par with Acosta in many sectors and individual corners, but he cannot put it together for a competitive lap time.

Binder's decline and departure confirmed

Brad Binder's results have faded since a strong start to the 2024 season. His last top result dates back to the 2024 opener in Qatar, where he finished second in both races. In 2023, he won two sprints, took five podiums in grands prix, and ended the season fourth in the world championship. Since Qatar 2024, there has not been much to see of 'Brad Attack'. His best 2026 results are fourth in the sprint at Jerez and a sixth-place grand prix finish at Spielberg.

Sebastian Risse said Binder has a very special riding style that fitted very well back then, but the championship continues to evolve in tyres, riding style, and bikes. He must not try to copy wildly but find new strengths. After seven MotoGP years, KTM has not extended Binder’s contract. He is switching to the Superbike World Championship with the BMW team for 2027.

The impending KTM reshuffle

The rider market is now set. With Acosta's standout performances, he is moving to Ducati in MotoGP. To fill the void, KTM will line up next year with the rider pairing of Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio. Pedro Acosta is moving to Ducati in MotoGP.