Brad Binder comments on KTM Group’s decision to replace Pol Espargaro with Pedro Acosta at the Tech3-GasGas team for the 2024 MotoGP season
Much to Pol Espargaro’s chagrin, KTM, through its parent company, Pierer Mobility Group, made a commitment a few days ago regarding the 2024 MotoGP season: Espargaro will lose his place as a regular rider at Tech3-GasGas to Pedro Acosta. This year’s rookie Augusto Fernandez will remain with the team for a second season.
While Espargaro has expressed disappointment at the decision, Acosta is delighted. After months of waiting, the designated 2023 Moto2 World Champion now has certainty as to which team he will contest his rookie season in the premier MotoGP class in 2024.
Acosta had already been promised promotion from the Moto2 to the MotoGP class in June. But because they were faced with the problem of having five riders for four bikes, one had to give way. That rider is Espargaro. Like Dani Pedrosa, the experienced Spaniard will be a test rider in 2024 and, thanks to the wildcard rule, will also ride in one or two races in this role.
While the Tech3 team only finally decided on the rider duo for 2024 a few days ago, everything has been clear for some time in the KTM factory team. Brad Binder and Jack Miller will be riding the two orange bikes in the new season. In view of the announcement about Acosta, Binder feels for his former teammate Espargaro, but at the same time is happy for and for Acosta.
“It’s a bit unfortunate for Pol to lose his place as a regular rider. As a rider, of course you want a full-time job,” says Binder. “At the same time, it’s very good for us to have him as a test rider. He is extremely strong rider. And he is one who rides the bike very similar to what I do.”
Of Espargaro’s successor Acosta, Binder says: “Pedro is incredible. How he marches from the Rookies Cup to Moto3 and Moto2 to the MotoGP class is quite special. He’s a special guy, no question about it.”
“I’m sure he has a great future ahead of him,” Binder shares the view of Aki Ajo, for whose Moto2 team the 19-year-old Spaniard is on the verge of winning the 2023 World Championship title. Looking ahead to Acosta’s first MotoGP season, Binder says: “It will certainly be exciting to have him in the field next year. I expect he will be able to adapt quickly to the MotoGP bike. “
Acosta will have his first MotoGP test two days after the season finale in Valencia. On Tuesday (28.11.) the traditional November test will take place in Valencia. As things stand, Marc Marquez will also take the handlebars for Gresini-Ducati for the first time on this occasion.
