CRUTCHLOW SAYS ACOSTA’S TRUE LEVEL WILL BE TESTED AGAINST MARQUEZ

Cal Crutchlow believes Pedro Acosta has already shown exceptional ability on a KTM, but says the Spaniard’s full potential remains difficult to judge because he has not yet faced a truly strong teammate in MotoGP.

Acosta is fourth in the championship on 263 points, ahead of the combined total of KTM factory rider Brad Binder and Tech3 pair Enea Bastianini and Maverick Viñales, who have 242 between them. He has also secured all six of KTM’s Grand Prix podiums this season. Since the start of last year, he has beaten Binder in qualifying 40 times without losing, and he dominated Augusto Fernandez during his rookie campaign at Tech3.

Speaking to Manuel Pecino’s YouTube channel, Crutchlow praised both Acosta’s riding and his personality. “He attacks fully on track,” he said, adding that what Acosta is doing on the KTM is “very, very good.” The Briton noted that Acosta is consistently the first KTM and beats his fellow riders, calling his performances “very, very incredible.”

But Crutchlow cautioned that those results do not yet reveal the complete picture. “What we don’t know is… in MotoGP, he hasn’t had the strongest teammate, or a really strong teammate,” he said. Acosta is “an amazing talent,” Crutchlow added, but a more demanding comparison could clarify his true level.

That test is expected to come next year, when Acosta is set to share a Ducati garage with Marc Marquez, a seven-time premier-class champion. Crutchlow said he is looking forward to seeing how Acosta measures up. Marquez has repeatedly described the young Spaniard as “the future of MotoGP” and has acknowledged the possibility of being beaten by a teammate for the first time next season.

Acosta’s current teammates offer different context. Binder is a two-time MotoGP race winner, though his form has declined since Acosta arrived. Bastianini has seven premier-class victories but has seldom produced his best results on the RC16. Viñales appeared to pose the strongest early challenge to Acosta within KTM, but injuries have disrupted his time with the team.

Crutchlow also singled out Acosta’s character, saying there is “no bullshit” about him: he enjoys racing, brings fun to the paddock and has the qualities the sport and manufacturers need. He believes Acosta “ticks all the boxes to be great,” while the move to Ducati should provide a clearer measure of just how good he can be.