Acosta gets first taste of Moto2 during Jerez test, has ‘a lot to learn’
Moto3 World Champion Pedro Acosta has completed his Moto2 debut for the Red Bull KTM Ajo outfit alongside new team-mate Augusto Fernandez at Jerez.
The two Spaniards are replacing MotoGP rookies Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez after both riders signed 2022 deals with the Tech 3 KTM team earlier this year.
For Acosta, it was a 13th place finish come the end of day-two, ahead of a 2022 season that promises so much.
If we take Fernandez as an example of what a rookie can come up to Moto2 and achieve within the Ajo team - broke the Moto2 record for most wins by a rookie and finished just five points off the title, then current Moto3 champion Acosta finds himself in perhaps the perfect situation.
Of course, replicating or even coming close to matching what Fernandez did is a stretch, however, given the level of dominance Acosta showed during the early rounds of 2021, as a rookie no less, then anything is possible.
There will be lots to learn for the 17 year-old, who acknowledged as much following the test in Jerez.
"Overall, I felt very good throughout these two days of testing, especially during the second day," added Acosta.
"Our only objective here was to gain experience and put in kilometres onboard the Moto2 bike, since we have a lot to learn.
"I'm happy with the work we have done, and the team did their best to make me feel comfortable from the first moment onward. Now it's time to rest and train to get stronger."
On the other side of the garage, Fernandez makes up an all-new line-up at the Ajo team.
The five-year Moto2 veteran, still only 24, was one of the most in-from riders at the end of this past season as he claimed podiums at Misano and the final round in Valencia.
"We conclude this first test of the 2022 pre-season very happy," said Fernandez after finishing fifth overall.
"Above all, I'm satisfied with how the second day went, as we were able to focus our work on the bike - because yesterday we mostly did tests with the Dunlop tyres.
"The team and I understood each other better all the time. I feel good around all of them; we started well and we have similar ways of thinking.
"I would like to continue working with them, rather than go on holiday, and continue preparing for the next campaign.
"However, it is necessary to rest, because that way we will come back stronger next year. I want to thank Red Bull, KTM, Aki Ajo and the entire crew for these two days."
