Pedro Acosta ended the 2025 MotoGP season and began preparations for 2026 with a busy Valencia test focused heavily on aerodynamics. KTM brought two fairings for comparison: the standard 2025 version and a new design inspired by Ducati’s recent aero package. The updated fairing featured larger downwash ducts, a reshaped mid-section, and small sidepod wings, combined with the front wings KTM introduced mid-season.
Acosta explained that evaluating new aero parts is never straightforward. He said the feedback isn’t always clear, making it difficult to judge immediately whether a direction is truly positive. He noted there were areas he liked, but the team now needs to study the data before deciding the next steps.
Despite losing most of the morning due to a damp track, Acosta was satisfied with the progress made. He said some updates helped make the bike more complete, acknowledging that while KTM has clear strengths, its weaknesses still need significant improvement. The factory will now analyse the technical data to see whether his impressions align with the numbers.
The limited running time meant some planned components couldn’t be tested, but Acosta said the team prioritised the most important items, mainly aero. He spent the day comparing the new and standard fairings in back-to-back runs.
Acosta ended the test fifth-fastest, just ahead of team-mate Maverick Vinales, and said overall it was a productive day for KTM.
