KTM's Pedro Acosta Sees Ducati Dominance Looming in 2026 MotoGP Season

Acosta expresses doubts about KTM's chances of securing victories as Ducati's reign continues.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:37am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a MotoGP race, with overlapping planes of color and motion, capturing the dynamic energy of the sport.Acosta's cautious outlook on KTM's 2026 MotoGP prospects reflects the ongoing dominance of Ducati and the challenges facing the Austrian manufacturer.Today in Tampa

KTM's Pedro Acosta is casting a cautious eye on the upcoming 2026 MotoGP season, expressing doubts about the marque's chances of securing victories. Acosta highlights the current dominance of Ducati, which he believes will continue its reign in 2026.

Why it matters

KTM, the Austrian manufacturer, is on a mission to break its victory drought, which has stretched back to the 2022 Thailand Grand Prix. Acosta's insights highlight the challenges KTM faces in the pursuit of victory, as the 2026 season promises to be a competitive one with Ducati's continued dominance.

The details

Despite KTM's efforts to improve the RC16 over the winter, early pre-season testing results have been underwhelming. Acosta's optimism stems from a positive sprint simulation during the Buriram test, where he finished 14th without a time attack. He noted that the bike has taken a step forward, but acknowledges that Aprilia and, especially, Ducati, are still the benchmark.

  • In the 2022 Thailand Grand Prix, KTM secured its last victory in MotoGP.

The players

Pedro Acosta

A KTM rider in his third year in the MotoGP premier class.

KTM

The Austrian motorcycle manufacturer that is struggling to break its victory drought in MotoGP.

Ducati

The Italian motorcycle manufacturer that Acosta believes will continue its dominance in the 2026 MotoGP season.

Aprilia

Another manufacturer that Acosta sees as a benchmark, along with Ducati, in the upcoming MotoGP season.

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What they’re saying

“Ducati looks more dominant, and Aprilia is also very strong. We need to see if we can close the gap in competitiveness.”

— Pedro Acosta, KTM Rider

What’s next

Acosta is eager to see KTM's performance in full race simulations, as he believes that if the bike shows significant improvement, KTM could challenge for wins in the 2026 MotoGP season.

The takeaway

Acosta's insights highlight the ongoing challenges KTM faces in its pursuit of victory, as Ducati's dominance appears set to continue in the 2026 MotoGP season. The upcoming season promises to be a competitive one, with fans eagerly awaiting KTM's progress and the potential for a breakthrough.