It’s not a big surprise, in fact, it was something that had been expected for weeks. KTM confirms Pedro Acosta’s jump to Moto2 for 2022. With the departure of Remy Gardner and Raúl Fernandez towards MotoGP with the structure of the KTM Tech3, the passage of the Spanish to the intermediate category was a matter of mere paperwork. The Austrian brand thus ties to the great revelation of the year and leader of the Moto3 World Championship, which will continue with the factory in the middle class, with the intention of making the leap to MotoGP in a matter of two years, that is, for the 2024 season.
At just 16 years old, the ‘Tiburon de Mazarrón’ took his first podium in the World Championship during the Qatar Grand Prix. The victory was not long in coming, in fact, it took another week, leaving the entire paddock speechless, because he did it starting from the pitlane. Since that day came four more victories that continue to put him as the leader of the small category of the competition, with a distance of 46 points against Sergio García Dols. “Making the leap to Moto2 was my goal because I think it is the step I need to take”, Acosta comments in the brand’s statement.
“Of course, there is always more to learn, and I could do it in Moto3, but when it comes to details and my development as a rider, then it seems like the right step “, adds about his category jump, just one season after debuting in the World Cup. The Red Bull Rookies Cup champion admits he is “an advantage to stay in the Red Bull KTM Ajo team, since now we have a year of work together and it is always important to maintain a good and positive feeling with the people around you “.
Augusto Fernández will be his partner
The rumors pointed to him and they have not failed either. Augusto Fernández says goodbye to the Marc VDS Team to make the leap to the KTM team in the intermediate category, in which he already militates. The Spanish rider will be looking for the definitive season in which to fight to be world champion, after four seasons in which he has achieved three victories and five podiums. In addition, his current team announced this week his replacement, Tony Arbolino. “I am very happy and satisfied to join Red Bull KTM Ajo. The team has been a reference in the category for many years winning races and fighting for championships.. I think that experience of going for the titles will help me a lot next year and I am looking forward to working with them, “says Fernández after the announcement.
Pit Beirer, KTM boss, acknowledged his joy at having such a strong line-up for the coming seasons: “We are very happy to announce the line-up of Moto2 riders with Pedro Acosta and Augusto Fernández for our KTM GP Academy.” And, especially, for being able to count on the Moto3 rider: “It is a great pleasure to support Pedro’s desire to move up from Moto3 to the next category. What he has shown in his first season in the World Championship is exceptional and we think he can keep the momentum going. “