Five-time Grand Prix World Champion Jorge Lorenzo has heaped heavy praise on MotoGP rookie Pedro Acosta, saying he has combined qualities of motorcycle racing legends Casey Stoner, Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez.
The 20-year-old Acosta stepped up to the premier class following three years and two world titles in Moto3 and Moto2 and has so far exceeded expectations despite his immense potential.
The rookie sits sixth in the championship heading into the summer break, ahead of Tech3 GasGas team-mate Augusto Fernandez and the factory KTM duo of Jack Miller and Brad Binder.
The Spaniard accumulated two Sunday race podiums at Portimao and Austin in his opening three races, alongside three Sprint race podiums.
Speaking on the DAZN Spain Documentary, ‘Decoded: Pedro Acosta,’ Lorenzo gave his extraordinary verdict on the young Spaniard.
“He has something of Stoner and Valentino, namely charisma. And he also has something of Marc, namely ambition and self-confidence.”
Lorenzo added that these qualities are a “perfect blend” of these three legends of modern MotoGP.
“What sets him apart from others is the preparation, the thousands of hours he has spent on the bike since he was little.
“I would only give him one piece of advice: that he must be careful about falls, because a serious injury could end his career.”
Acosta’s continually rising star has already earned him a promotion to the factory KTM squad, displacing Miller for the 2025 season to line up alongside Binder.
Amid a Ducati onslaught in recent rounds and KTM falling a step behind its Italian rivals, Acosta hasn’t been quite as glittering in his displays compared to the early rounds of the season.
The Tech3 rider has scored just nine points in the last two rounds, but his charisma and talent are befitting of a future race winner and MotoGP champion.
