• [Dailystar Icon]
• Sport
• MotoGP
• Motorsport

'Pedro Acosta is a generational MotoGP talent Brad Binder isn't up to his level'

EXCLUSIVE: As Pedro Acosta continues to excite fans with his dynamic performances in MotoGP, one rider may not be so enthusiastic about the young Spaniard's emergence

[Pedro Acosta of Spain and Red Bull GasGas Tech3 looks on in box during the MotoGP Of Italy - Free Practice at Mugello Circuit on May 31, 2024 in Scarperia, Italy]

Pedro Acosta is one of the most exciting talents in MotoGP(Image: Getty Images)

British Superbikes legend Neil Hodgson thinks Pedro Acosta's brilliance has knocked the stuffing out of team-mate Brad Binder.

Acosta, 20, has been a revelation since he was promoted to MotoGP by KTM for the 2024 campaign. His future has already been secured courtesy of a stunning mid-season promotion to a factory MotoGP seat for 2025.

Now he has his eyes on a potential podium finish in his debut campaign as he sits fifth in the championship standings, only 35 points away from Marc Marquez of Ducati in third. But while Acosta will be revelling in the excitement of his stunning debut season, Binder is lagging behind his much younger team-mate.

READ MORE: Red Bull star's incredible reaction saves him from 'scary' crash in Monaco GP F2 qualifier

READ MORE: I was Team GB star but was sent to prison after I tried to help people and it backfired

When asked how Binder would be feeling in an exclusive interview with Daily Star Sport, Hodgson, who is a pundit for TNT Sport's coverage of MotoGP, said: "Yeah, its always tough when that happens, because he was the main man.

What happens is that it really affects your own confidence, because you feel like youre getting the most out of the package and then a young kid comes along and is instantly doing better than you.

The first thing you do is start to change your bike, because you want to blame the bike, so you try and change your set-up to give you a certain bit of feeling or feedback. But you can easily end up getting lost.

What do you think Pedro Acosta can achieve in MotoGP? Let us know in the comment section below

[Pedro Acosta of Spain and GasGas Factory Racing Tech3 prepare the Sprint event of the Italian MotoGP race at Mugello on June 1, 2024]

Acosta is enjoying a memorable debut campaign(Image: Getty Images)

[Brad Binder from South Africa, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing before the race of the Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland at the Sachsenring on June 18, 2023 in Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany]

Binder is enduring a difficult 2024 campaign(Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

I think thats what Brad Binder is doing at the moment. I know hes been making some big changes to his bike, hes been crashing more than normal. But in reality, you have to look at yourself in the mirror and go, Fair enough. Im a decent rider, but maybe Im not quite at the level of this kid', which he obviously isnt.

But Pedro Acosta is a generational talent who arrives once every 15 years. But its almost like no rider will ever admit that they havent quite got what it takes, or theyre not quite as good as another rider.

"You always look inward and you try to find the reasons why someone is better than you and you try to improve your skills. Psychologically, Brad Binders head is in bits at the moment, which I understand, though thats the reality of racing."

[Neil Hodgson holding a TNT Sport microphone against a grey background]

Hodgson is a MotoGP pundit for TNT Sport(Image: TNT Sport)

Both Binder and Acosta will be back in the saddle for this weekend's TT Assen, after a 28 day mid-season break. Acosta outperformed his South African colleague at the Italian GP at the start of June.

He recorded a third placed finish in the Tissot Sprint before finishing the Grand Prix in fifth position, while Binder recorded sixth and tenth placed finishes respectively. Binder is under contract with KTM until 2025.

The South African enjoyed an impressive campaign last year, only just missing out on a podium place to finish fourth. But his performances this year have left plenty to be desired so far.

Watch every moment of practice, qualifying and race action from the Assen MotoGP exclusively live on TNT Sports 2 and discovery+ this weekend, find out more here

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.