- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Pedro Acosta Secures Front Row Start at 2026 US MotoGP
KTM rider's strong qualifying performance signals progress for the team in MotoGP.
Mar. 29, 2026 at 2:26am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Pedro Acosta, the rising star of MotoGP, secured a front-row start for the 2026 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. Finishing third in qualifying, Acosta expressed satisfaction with the result, noting that it demonstrates tangible progress for the KTM team, which has historically struggled in qualifying. The substantial upgrades made to the KTM RC16 over the winter have transformed the bike, and Acosta has described it as feeling 'like built from zero'.
Why it matters
Acosta's strong qualifying performance is a significant milestone for KTM, a manufacturer that has faced challenges in MotoGP. The front-row start positions Acosta as a contender for the race win and further solidifies his status as a championship favorite, despite being in only his sixth season in the premier class.
The details
Acosta acknowledged that qualifying has been a consistent hurdle for the KTM team, making his front-row start all the more impressive. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with the team to refine strategy and maximize competitiveness, recognizing the continued strength of rivals Aprilia and Ducati on the Austin circuit.
- Pedro Acosta secured a front-row start for the 2026 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas on March 29, 2026.
The players
Pedro Acosta
A 21-year-old Spanish rider competing in his sixth season in MotoGP, currently leading the championship standings.
KTM
The Austrian motorcycle manufacturer that fields the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team in MotoGP.
Aprilia
The Italian motorcycle manufacturer that is a strong competitor to KTM in the MotoGP championship.
Ducati
The Italian motorcycle manufacturer that is also a strong competitor to KTM in the MotoGP championship.
What they’re saying
“Achieving a front-row position demonstrates tangible progress. We've been working hard as a team to refine our strategy and maximize our competitiveness, and I'm pleased to see those efforts paying off.”
— Pedro Acosta, MotoGP Rider
What’s next
Acosta will look to convert his front-row start into a strong race result, which would further solidify his position as a championship contender. The team will also continue to work on improving the KTM RC16 to maintain their competitive edge throughout the season.
The takeaway
Pedro Acosta's front-row start at the 2026 US MotoGP is a significant milestone for the KTM team, showcasing their progress in addressing their historical qualifying struggles. Acosta's rapid rise through the ranks and his current championship-leading status make him a rider to watch, and this result positions him as a strong contender for the race win and the overall title.
