MotoGP: Acosta claims first premier-class win, with Michelin

The Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Austria – Round 15 of the MotoGP™ World Championship – saw Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) celebrate his maiden grand prix success after 56 world-class starts. The result was a fitting conclusion to what turned out to be an emotional weekend and the Spaniard's last race for KTM at the make's home circuit. Read on for more about what happened at the #AustrianGP.

Acosta hit the ground running by topping both of Friday's practice sessions, aided by the performance of his Michelin tires. The KTM rider followed up with third in qualifying but had the misfortune of falling while leading Saturday's sprint. His splendid win the next day made ample amends, however!

Both Aprilias got away to strong starts on Sunday, while Marc Márquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) found himself under pressure within the early leading group before a mistake on the tenth of the race's 28 laps put him out of contention.

By this point, Acosta had already eased past Marco Bezzecchi into second place on Lap 4 and soon started to home in on the latter's Aprilia Racing team-mate Jorge Martín. By Lap 9, he was in front and, making maximum use of his Michelin slicks' consistency, successfully defended that lead all the way to the checkered flag to secure his long-awaited maiden win, one second clear of Martín.

It was also Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's third success in Austria, and its first in the championship since Miguel Oliveira topped the order in Thailand in 2022.

Bezzecchi ended the all-dry race in third position, ahead of Ai Ogura (Aprilia Trackhouse) and Márquez who recovered from his earlier struggles to salvage fifth.

Brad Binder delivered a plucky ride to mark his final appearance at the Red Bull Ring with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, finishing sixth after figuring actively in the leading pack. Fermín Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) rounded out the afternoon's top-10.

In order to address the Austrian venue's notorious heavy braking zones and potential for tire degradation, Michelin provided a specific allocation of tires that featured a reinforced right-hand shoulder. As the ground/air temperatures climbed to 23°C/37°C for Sunday's showpiece, all the riders opted for the medium Power Slick front and rear. Although no new records were established over the three days, Michelin's offering proved as consistent as ever and played a part in Acosta's ability to keep Martín at bay until the end.

The result takes Martín back clear at the top of the provisional standings, tailed by Márquez (+12 points). Acosta has gained two positions and sits fourth overall.

Next round: Motul Grand Prix of Japan, Motegi (October 1-4).