Pedro Acosta (6th) on the start crash: “It was a domino effect”

For KTM, qualifying at Mandalika proved to be a sobering experience. As usual, Pedro Acosta was the Austrian manufacturer’s best rider, starting the 13-lap sprint from 9th on the grid in the third row. The Spaniard had been struggling with an unstable bike all weekend.

Start crash at Turn 1 reminded Acosta of a domino effect

The KTM factory rider benefited immediately from the start-line crash at Turn 1, which saw the two Aprilia favourites, Raul Fernandez and Marco Bezzecchi, forced to retire. In the early stages, he was riding directly behind Fabio Di Giannantonio and was involved in a three-way battle with Ai Ogura for third place.

Acosta did not blame anyone for the start crash. “Everyone has their own opinion, but I think it was a domino effect,” he said. “Di Giannantonio went a bit wider, then Marc sat up slightly to avoid hitting him, Bezzecchi did the same – and then there wasn’t enough room left for anyone. These are things that can happen.”

No chance of a podium after penalty

Then came the setback for Acosta: due to repeatedly exceeding the track limits, he had to serve a long-lap penalty and dropped back between the two Gresini riders. That effectively ended his bid for a podium finish. “I tried to match the others’ lap times in the second sector and was very nervous,” explained Acosta, admitting: “Yes, I touched the kerb three times.”

In the end, Acosta finished sixth, 5.5 seconds behind winner Marc Marquez. He was thus the only KTM rider in the top nine. After a poor qualifying session, more could not have been expected, especially as Jorge Martin had clearly been faster: “The top five was the best we could have achieved today.”

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The Spaniard does not see this as a step backwards for KTM. “We’re not far off; we’re faster than last year. We haven’t got any worse – quite the opposite – but our rivals have improved more.” A tyre choice has also been finalised for Sunday: the soft rear tyre is not an option.

In the World Championship standings, Acosta is holding on to 4th place with 247 points, although Ai Ogura has reduced the gap to the Spaniard to just one point.