Pedro Acosta made a flying start to the Austrian Grand Prix weekend, topping both Friday sessions at the Red Bull Ring and immediately establishing KTM as a major force on home soil.
The Spanish rider began the day by setting the fastest time in the opening practice session with a 1:29.851, becoming the only rider to break into the 1:29s. Acosta finished ahead of KTM Tech3 rider Pol Espargaró, who was just 0.233 seconds behind, while Jorge Martín placed third for Aprilia.
Marc Márquez was fourth fastest, 0.335s off Acosta’s benchmark, with Johann Zarco completing the top five for Honda. Marco Bezzecchi, Raúl Fernández, Álex Márquez, rookie Diogo Moreira and Luca Marini rounded out the top ten.
KTM’s strong showing was particularly significant at the manufacturer’s home Grand Prix. Acosta and Espargaró gave the Austrian brand a 1-2 in the opening session, highlighting the competitiveness of the RC16 around the fast Spielberg circuit.
Acosta then confirmed his pace in the afternoon Practice session, setting the overall benchmark with a 1:28.381. The KTM rider was joined on the front row of the provisional order by Fermín Aldeguer and a remarkable Ai Ogura, who immediately impressed on his return to competition.
Ogura’s performance was one of the biggest surprises of the day. After missing the previous two races because of a hand injury, the Trackhouse Aprilia rider showed impressive speed in Austria and secured third place in the Practice session, putting himself directly into Q2.
Aldeguer was just 0.127s behind Acosta, while Marc Márquez finished fourth, followed by Jorge Martín and Fabio Di Giannantonio. Brad Binder was seventh, with Álex Márquez, Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio Quartararo completing the top ten.
The session also produced a significant setback for Francesco Bagnaia. After finishing 18th in the opening practice session, more than one second away from Acosta, the Ducati rider again found himself outside the leading group and was unable to secure a direct place in Q2.
Bagnaia’s difficulties continue a complicated period for the three-time MotoGP champion. The Red Bull Ring places considerable demands on braking, traction and acceleration, and Ducati will have to analyse the data gathered on Friday to understand why the Desmosedici is struggling to match the pace of the leading riders.
For Acosta, meanwhile, the opening day could hardly have been more positive. The KTM rider demonstrated strong one-lap pace in both sessions and appears particularly comfortable around a circuit where the Austrian manufacturer traditionally performs well.
The Austrian Grand Prix also carries additional significance for Acosta, as this is his final home race with KTM before his move to the Ducati factory team for the 2027 MotoGP season.
With Acosta leading the way, Ogura making an impressive comeback and Márquez and Martín remaining close to the front, the Red Bull Ring has already produced an intriguing picture ahead of qualifying and Sunday’s race.
Bagnaia, however, faces a different challenge. The Ducati rider will need to find a significant step forward before qualifying if he is to avoid starting the weekend from a difficult position.