Pedro AcostaKTM rider of the GasGas team, participated in the press conference on Thursday of the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez de la Frontera, the fourth stage of the 2024 MotoGP world calendar. Below are his statements.
MotoGP debut in Jerez
“It will be nice to race for the first time in Jerez with all the fans and the atmosphere. It seems like Mugello for Italian riders and for this reason it will be beautiful. Last year the KTMs were fast here. Sometimes you feel a little stronger when the bike is going well, but I’ll find out first hand how it works. We don’t know how I’m going to go here, we need to stay calm and we will have a wildcard like Dani Pedrosa who will be an extra rival, rather than a help. I have to start with Friday’s free practice to understand how things are going, understanding the bike, tires and tracks on the first day is difficult. We must not fly too much with our thoughts and keep our feet on the ground.”
Pedrosa’s advice
“I didn’t talk too much with him, we discussed the bikes and these things. I think it’s good to communicate my feelings to him, also in view of the tests. Listening to Dani is very important, due to the experience and what he has experienced in the MotoGP, I can learn something even when we aren’t talking about MotoGP. I will definitely follow him on the track, I have a lot to learn. The boxing challenge with Lorenzo? I’m betting on Dani because he is smaller and Jorge doesn’t seem in the best shape to me. Who would I face in a boxing match? With Oncu to have a good show.”
Growth
“From the first to the third race, maybe I do some things differently, but it’s not my job. I’m focused on improving my riding. The worst thing about the weekend is the electronics. In the end I changed a few things, not too many. We are focused on understanding the priorities of what to improve on race weekends. Every weekend I come home and live normal life, see real life and how people work hard to keep their feet on the ground. For me it’s pretty normal to fly low. I have to improve when exiting corners, to follow the lead of those in front of me.”
The Aprilia
“Rivola says they are the best? He has to say it, it’s his job. I think about our bike and I already have so many things to think about.“
Magic
“Poncharal said I have something magical? He now he says so, we have to wait when he gets a little angry. Jack and Brad are very fast, I’m not doing anything different. I’m learning from them, I’ve observed trying to take the best things from each one. This is a magical moment, but it’s easy to go wrong.”
Feeling with the motorbike
“I can’t say a number, every day there is something new and my assessment can change. It is not normal to lower your times session after session. Everything makes a big difference. With the current staff I have a 10th feeling, with the bike I don’t express myself.”
