A Disappointing Weekend for KTM: One Rider Slams Thai MotoGP Performance
The 2026 Thai MotoGP season opener showcased a stark contrast in performance between Pedro Acosta and the other KTM riders, leaving a bitter taste for some.
Acosta, the young Spanish talent, dominated the weekend, securing his first Sprint victory on Saturday, KTM's first win since 2023. He followed this up with a second-place finish in the Grand Prix, leaving his teammates in the dust.
However, the KTM RC16 bike's performance raised concerns among some riders.
Brad Binder, Acosta's factory teammate, finished a respectable sixth in the Sprint and seventh in the Grand Prix, but was 11.820 seconds behind Acosta on Sunday. This gap highlights the significant performance disparity within the team.
Enea Bastianini, another KTM rider, scored points with 17th place in the Sprint and 12th in the Grand Prix, but his teammate, Maverick Vinales, struggled.
Vinales, known for his previous victories with Suzuki, Yamaha, and Aprilia, cited a chronic lack of front grip as the main issue. He finished 19th in the Sprint and 16th in the Grand Prix, struggling to turn in corners and maintain speed in mid-corners.
"We tried various solutions, but the problem persists," Vinales explained. "We lack front grip, which affects my ability to navigate turns. The front wheel tends to wander, making me slow in mid-corners."
Vinales's frustration was evident as he missed Turn 2 and the last corner multiple times, despite braking at the same points. He attributed the issue to a lack of front grip, especially on the edge, where he loses traction as soon as he leans.
"The situation worsened each day of the race weekend," Vinales noted, reflecting on the test day. "I don't know if it's the track's grip or the rear wheel pushing the front more."
Vinales's struggle is particularly notable given his past success and KTM's high hopes for him. Acosta, on the other hand, has emerged as a strong performer in an area where Vinales is struggling.
"Acosta is generating more front grip," Vinales observed. "I'm not sure if it's his bike setup or something else, but he's making more grip with the front tire, which is his current strength."
Despite his efforts, Vinales left the opening round without scoring a Grand Prix point for the first time in his world championship career, dating back to the 125cc class in 2011. This result has left a bitter taste for some KTM fans, who are now questioning the team's strategy and rider selection.
