KTM CEO reveals: Why Acosta is really moving to Ducati

Pedro Acosta gave KTM an ideal start to their home MotoGP weekend in Spielberg with two fastest practice times.

Double fastest time for Acosta: "It's still only Friday!" >>>

Next season, the Spaniard will swap his orange racing suit for Ducati red. In the Italian factory team, the 22-year-old will take the spot alongside superstar Marc Marquez starting in 2027.

For a long time, the reasons for his KTM departure were speculated. Many suspected Acosta was leaving because he saw poor chances of winning a world title with the Austrian manufacturer.

The justification would be valid: Since his MotoGP ascent two years ago, Acosta is still waiting for his first race victory in the premier class.

It wasn't about money

On the sidelines of the Austrian Grand Prix, KTM CEO Gottfried Neumeister cleared the air.

In a media briefing on Friday, the CEO revealed that he wanted to convince Acosta to stay with KTM. "I tried, that's no secret. I wanted to persuade him personally."

Without success. For the young star, it wasn't about money. Neumeister recounts: "I still get goosebumps because he told me: 'Gottfried, it's not about a million more or less'."

He gives Acosta a lot of credit for that: "We've seen riders who are on the best bike at the start of the season and then sign elsewhere for money. That's not the spirit of racing for me."

Acosta wants to beat Marquez in the same team

Instead, Marc Marquez is the real reason why Acosta is moving to Ducati.

Neumeister: "He said: I am Spanish. Even if you had a better bike with the 850s and I would win with it, I want to beat Marc with the same weapon."

With that, it was clear that the "Shark of Mazarrón" could not have been convinced by any argument in the world to stay for another season in orange.

"You are suddenly disarmed and speechless. That's just a great motivation. Therefore, I will always have a good feeling when I see him," said the KTM CEO.

And adds with a smile: "You always meet twice in life."