MotoGP rider Pedro Acosta has addressed recent claims made by KTM CEO Gottfried Neumeister, who suggested that the Spaniard moved to Ducati specifically to prove he could beat Marc Marquez while riding the same bike. Acosta dismissed these claims, clarifying that he never negotiated a contract extension with KTM and that his decision to join the Ducati factory squad for 2027 was made to secure the most competitive equipment available. "The only reason I wanted to go with Marc was that I'm not going to have any more opportunities to learn from the best rider in history, or the best rider of the last 15 years," Acosta explained during the Indonesian Grand Prix weekend. He emphasized that being on the same team as Marquez is a career-long developmental opportunity, noting that even if he loses to the veteran, the experience remains beneficial. Acosta also stated that he had no interest in staying with KTM, citing previous contract disputes, and insisted his decision to commit to Ducati was straightforward and not driven by personal rivalry.
