How did Marc Marquez react when asked how “incredible” Pedro Acosta would be riding a Ducati MotoGP bike? The Ducati rider did not hesitate to give a chilling 8-word answer to Pedro Acosta !!
In the high-octane world of MotoGP, where rivalries are as fierce as the machines roaring down the straights, Marc Marquez has once again proven why he remains one of the sport’s most compelling figures. Recently, during a press conference following the Aragon MotoGP, the eight-time world champion was asked about the burgeoning talent of Pedro Acosta, the 20-year-old KTM rider who has been turning heads with his fearless riding and raw potential. Specifically, the question centered on how “incredible” Acosta could be if he were to ride a Ducati, the dominant machine in the 2025 MotoGP season. Marquez, now a factory Ducati rider leading the championship, didn’t hesitate. His response was a curt, calculated, and chilling eight words: “He’d be fast, but I’m still here.”
The comment, delivered with Marquez’s trademark intensity, sent ripples through the paddock, underscoring both his competitive edge and his refusal to cede the spotlight to the next generation. Acosta, often compared to a young Marquez for his audacious style and rapid rise through the ranks, has been the subject of intense speculation about his future. With Ducati’s stranglehold on the 2025 season—winning every grand prix so far except for a shock Honda victory at Le Mans—rumors have swirled about Acosta potentially joining a Ducati team, possibly VR46, for 2026. Marquez’s response was not just a nod to Acosta’s talent but a stark reminder of his own dominance and unwillingness to be overshadowed.
Marquez’s journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable. After years of battling injuries and riding uncompetitive Honda machinery, his move to Ducati in 2024, first with Gresini and now with the factory team, has seen him return to the top. Leading the championship with a 24-point advantage over his brother Alex Marquez, Marc has been untouchable in qualifying and a consistent race winner, with three grand prix victories and four sprint wins in the first four rounds of 2025 alone. His ability to adapt to the Ducati GP25, a bike that has confounded even his teammate Francesco Bagnaia at times, has cemented his status as the rider to beat.
Meanwhile, Acosta’s 2025 season has been a mix of promise and frustration. The young Spaniard, who burst onto the MotoGP scene in 2024 with nine podiums, including a maiden rostrum in his second race, has struggled with KTM’s lack of competitiveness this year. Scoring just 24 points in the first four rounds, Acosta has been vocal about his dissatisfaction, particularly after finishing seven seconds behind Marquez at Aragon, where he was the top non-Ducati rider. His strong braking and aggressive corner entries have drawn praise, but as he noted post-race, KTM’s performance is not good enough to challenge the Ducatis, especially on corner entry where he loses significant time.
The speculation about Acosta’s future has intensified due to his contract situation. Tied to KTM until the end of 2026, Acosta has attracted interest from Ducati and Honda, with the former reportedly eyeing him for a satellite team like VR46. Marquez himself has acknowledged Acosta’s potential, even giving his blessing to such a move in an earlier interview, stating, “If a motorcycle legend like Marc said that, it’s flattering.” Yet, Marquez’s recent eight-word quip suggests a different sentiment—one of a champion guarding his territory. The prospect of Acosta on a Ducati, a bike that could amplify his already formidable skills, is tantalizing for fans but clearly a challenge Marquez is ready to meet head-on.
The dynamic between Marquez and Acosta is reminiscent of past MotoGP rivalries, where established stars faced off against rising talents. Acosta, at just 20, has time on his side, but his impatience is evident. He’s expressed a desire to “lose against” Marquez on equal machinery, viewing even a competitive defeat as an achievement. This ambition, coupled with his fearless approach, draws inevitable parallels to Marquez’s own early career, when he took on giants like Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo. However, Marquez’s response at Aragon indicates he’s far from ready to pass the torch.
As the 2025 season progresses, the Marquez-Acosta narrative will likely grow. Ducati’s dominance, with riders like Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer also shining, only heightens the stakes. For now, Marquez’s eight words serve as both a compliment to Acosta’s potential and a warning: the king of MotoGP is still very much on his throne, and any challenger, even one as prodigious as Acosta, will have to fight tooth and nail to dethrone him. With 15 races remaining, the stage is set for a compelling battle, one that could define the future of the sport.
