Acosta: Starting far back in Moto2 penalises you a lot, still a lot to learn

Considered the Moto2 title favourite by many despite being a rookie, Pedro Acosta believes he still has 'a lot to learn' about the intermediate class. 

Unlike his rookie Moto3 season where he won from pit lane in Lusail, Acosta was attempting to come through the field in a class which is not only highly competitive with regards to rider talent and machinery, but also in terms of rider experience something that’s not quite as evident in the lower category. 

Inside the top six in every practice session, Acosta was unable to replicate that level of performance in Q2 as he qualified tenth. 

However, the biggest problem for the current Moto3 world champion is that he was as far back as 24th during the opening lap, which automatically ruled him out of a top ten result. 

After eventually coming through to 12th, the 17 year-old said: "Today we accumulated kilometres and very important experience. The important thing is that we had a very consistent race and that our pace was enough to be fighting with the riders in front. 

"The start of the contest didn't go as expected, but this can happen in your first Grand Prix in a class. 

"We still have a lot to learn and we have to keep working hard to keep taking steps forward. 

"In Indonesia we'll try to improve in the standings, since starting far back on the grid penalises you a lot in Moto2."

Although it was a much simpler evening for team-mate Augusto Fernandez, the Spaniard had an unlucky end to his race after losing out on a podium due to contact with Ai Ogura at the final corner. 

Fernandez, who had made his way through on the Japanese rider earlier in the lap, was hit from behind after Ogura lost the front end of his Kalex machine and skidded into Fernandez. 

Even though both riders were lucky to remain upright and come across the line inside the top six, Fernandez was unable to regain third from Sam Lowes over the line.  

Fernandez added: "We end the weekend with a bittersweet taste in our mouths. However, we must be happy to have finished, since, after the setback on the last lap, it could have been worse. 

"Besides this, I'm satisfied with how I felt on the bike. During the weekend we showed that we had the pace to be up at the front and we gave our all to win the battle in the chasing group. 

"Finally, the podium got away from us due to that incident, but we were lucky enough to be able to cross the finish line. 

"We leave Qatar with 13 points, the season has just started and at the next round we will aim for more. 

"I want to thank the team for all the work they have done during the weekend. 

"We have shown that we are very competitive and strong, and this is what we take with us to Indonesia - where we will try again."