Pedro Acosta “paid a big price for a small mistake” in Jerez MotoGP sprint

KTM’s Pedro Acosta says he “paid a big price for a small mistake” in the Jerez MotoGP sprint, but concedes he has “to be happy given how lost we were”.

The Spaniard launched from sixth on the grid at the start of Saturday’s 12-lap sprint, which would descend into a flag-to-flag contest due to late heavy rain.

Pedro Acosta found himself in a tough battle with Johann Zarco, Enea Bastianini and Brad Binder when it was dry, as they debated fifth place.

The Spaniard pitted for his wet bike with four laps to go, but would end up 12th at the chequered flag after crashing late on.

“Well, difficult to say,” he began.

“I think everyone was playing the same game, trying to follow the leader.

“Even Marc [Marquez], who is the best in these conditions, fucked up.

“For this, it was tricky conditions. I don’t think anybody was expecting it was going to rain that much.

“We paid a big price for a small mistake. But anyway, we have to be happy.

“We were making a good dry race until the rain came. For this, we have to be happy given how lost we were yesterday.”

He added: “Maybe a podium finish was possible.

“I think we changed bikes too late, by one lap, and we were all trying to do the same thing as the race leader.

“We weren’t that far behind either. In the end, it’s about experience; the biggest different between the smaller classes and MotoGP is that these changes in weather are harder to understand.”

Looking ahead to the grand prix on Sunday, which is due to be run in dry conditions, Acosta has warned that it will be “the longest race of the year” for him.

“Considering how lost we were yesterday, we’ve taken a step forward,” he added.

“The dry race, apart from the battle with Zarco, which saw Bastianini and Binder close in on me, was one where I should have been in the top five.

“We have to keep going like this and try to improve for tomorrow.

“I think it will be the longest race of the year for me. We’ll have to step up our game; either we get everything right or it will be a very long race.”