Pedro Acosta Issues Marc Marquez Warning: 'Even Injured, He's the Rider to Beat'
KTM's Pedro Acosta believes that, despite his shoulder injury, Marc Marquez will remain the top contender in the 2026 MotoGP season. Acosta's confidence in Marquez's prowess is evident, as he dominated the 2025 campaign with 11 grand prix wins and 14 sprint victories, securing his seventh world title.
Marquez's road to recovery has been remarkable. After a career-threatening arm injury at the 2020 Spanish Grand Prix, he returned to the top, winning the 2025 championship just a week after his injury. His recovery is progressing well, and he will participate in the Sepang test, although his full fitness remains a question mark.
Acosta emphasizes that Marquez's resilience and ability to bounce back from setbacks are unparalleled. He states, 'He's the guy who should have the number one on the fairing. For this, you only have to see what Marc overcame after five years without a victory and directly jump onto the factory bike and go for the championship.'
While Acosta acknowledges the competition from riders like Marco Bezzecchi, Alex Marquez, and Pecco Bagnaia, he firmly believes that Marquez will be the rider to beat in 2026.
Acosta's partnership with ex-racer Carmelo Morales has been instrumental in his development. He explains, 'Last season, we made a super team. He was on top of me the whole winter, and I think we were making good preparations for this.' Acosta's collaboration with Morales has been a significant factor in his mental growth and overall performance.
This season, Acosta aims to build on his success, leveraging the strong foundation laid with Morales. His focus and determination, coupled with Marquez's unwavering determination, set the stage for an exciting 2026 MotoGP season.
