KTM's Second-Best MotoGP Rider Isn't Even Full-Time

It's clear Pedro Acosta is KTM's best MotoGP rider this year, but a remarkable contender for second-best has emerged: test rider Pol Espargaro, despite only competing in three rounds. Espargaro, who stepped back from full-time racing in 2023 due to a horrific injury, has filled in for the injured Maverick Vinales and consistently performed at an unusually high level for a stand-in, challenging even full-time riders.

Why it matters:

• Espargaro's standout performances highlight a potential untapped resource for KTM and raise questions about their current rider lineup and the effectiveness of their wildcard strategy.
• His success as a stand-in, combined with frustrations from full-time riders like Pedro Acosta about the RC16's tire wear, underscores underlying issues with the bike's performance, particularly outside of European tracks.
• This situation could force KTM to re-evaluate their rider strategy and development focus for future seasons, especially as they look towards the 2026 regulations.

The Details:

• Exceptional Stand-in Performance: Espargaro has competed in three rounds (Brno, Balaton Park, Phillip Island) as a substitute for Maverick Vinales and has consistently out-qualified at least one full-time KTM rider in each event, even securing direct Q2 entry in two of them.
• Average Points Per Round: Espargaro's average of 7.7 points per round places him as KTM's second-highest scorer, behind only Pedro Acosta (12.3) and ahead of Brad Binder (6.6), Maverick Vinales (5.5), and Enea Bastianini (5.1).
• Speed and Comfort: Despite two months off the bike, Espargaro quickly found his pace, noting, "When I push, it comes... I feel like I'm riding the bike, I do what I want, I apply my riding style as aggressively as in the past. And I don't make major mistakes." This indicates he still possesses competitive speed.
• Race Pace Challenges: While his qualifying has been strong, Espargaro's race pace has typically ranked fourth among KTMs. He acknowledges race rustiness and unfamiliarity with tire management over full race stints, which led to excessive tire degradation at Phillip Island.
• KTM Bike Affinity: Espargaro has a unique connection with KTM's MotoGP bikes, having been a lead rider from the program's inception. His performance suggests he might be a particularly effective RC16 rider, potentially more so than some full-time colleagues.

Frustrations Mount at KTM:

• Tire Degradation Issues: Full-time riders, including the normally composed Pedro Acosta, have voiced significant concerns about the RC16's rear tire degradation, especially at non-European circuits.
  • Acosta lamented riding at "70% performance" at Phillip Island, stating, "KTM have to make a step now. I'm pushing everything I can... This, every week I have to handle these things. They make me tired."
• Lack of Edge Grip: Brad Binder echoed these sentiments, explaining, "We're missing a lot of edge grip on the rear. So you start spinning off the edge and you carry it the whole way through the drive. It just uses too much rubber."
• Data Deficiencies Outside Europe: Espargaro noted that while tire issues are managed better in Europe due to more data, "when we go out of Europe, where we don't have enough data, things escape from our control, things happen that we don't prevent."

What's next:

Espargaro will continue as Vinales' stand-in at Sepang and could once again surprise. While he recognizes his full-time career might be over, he still desires wildcard opportunities in 2026, which he believes would be crucial for testing and team morale. KTM, meanwhile, must urgently address the RC16's tire issues and consider how Espargaro's consistent performance fits into their long-term strategy, especially with the frustrations voiced by their rising star, Pedro Acosta.