Pedro Acosta revealed that KTM performed an overnight overhaul of the RC16, tackling the grip and braking issues that had left the MotoGP rookie visibly angry during the San Marino weekend.
Braking woes at Misano
Acosta had returned to Misano after the highs of Silverstone and Aragon, only to find the bike’s front‑end uncooperative. During the sprint, he could finish only sixth, trailing Marc Marquez by more than half a second each lap.
Front‑tire misbehaviour left the rider struggling to shift the braking point, an unfamiliar problem for a rider who normally lives near his limit on the circuit.
The frustration was clear on camera; the Spaniard appeared visibly upset, a rare sight from the 19‑year‑old who rarely displays anger on the track.
Fast turnaround on Sunday
Sunday saw a different story. A quick launch from ninth place moved Acosta into fourth behind Alex Marquez before the point deficit shrank to less than one second over the Marquez brothers.
After Jorge Martin fell back to fifth, Acosta briefly eyed the top spot. He fought close but locked up at Turn 7, relinquishing the fight; nevertheless he held on to third for his fifth podium of the season.
Acosta said the changes overnight were decisive: “I was happy because it looks like we improved the bike from yesterday. We changed the whole thing.”
Reverting to a tried‑and‑true set‑up
Instead of inventing a new strategy, KTM re‑instated the Friday configuration. “We went back a bit to Friday’s set‑up, and it seems to have worked more or less. I could brake hard and attack,” he added, noting he would still feel a slight dip under acceleration.
The focus shift to the braking system returned the RC16’s performance to parity with its rivals, giving Acosta the confidence to push hard later into the race.
Team effort and future plans
Earlier in the season, KTM had faced engine reliability concerns. Those issues were now resolved, freeing the crew to concentrate on outright speed.
Acosta praised the engineering team, saying they were “working super hard” and open to “new ideas.” He also stressed that anger on the track can sometimes be the fuel needed for a rider to give his best.
“If you give me what I need, I will be there. I don’t know how, but I will be there,” he said, reflecting the cycle of collaboration between rider and mechanics.
Moving forward
With the RC16’s engine now stable, KTM aims to fine‑tune the bike for the final years of the 1000cc era. Acosta’s experience under pressure shows a credible improvement, a development that can only be described as a turning point for the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing camp.
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