In the MotoGP 2026 paddock, there's already intense speculation about 2027 and, in particular, the possible arrival of Pedro Acosta on the official Ducati team alongside Marc Márquez. If this happens, it would have the flavor of a "dream team", as it fuels the riders market well ahead of time.
Alberto Puig, Honda's Team Principal, knows both Márquez and Acosta well and makes no secret of his admiration for the rider from Murcia. In an interview with Commenting to AS on Acosta's possible choice, Puig said, "Acosta is a great rider, and I understand that he wants to measure himself against the best and with his own weapons. It's his right. He showed courage and made a brave decision. At the same time, he also tried to secure a winning bike like Ducati, at least on paper. We'll see in the future if he was right, but he's a brave guy."
Puig then reiterated a concept he often repeats, the one about "special riders".
"Everyone here is brave. Anyone who gets on a motorcycle is a brave person. But I'm talking about special riders, and there aren't many of those."
In recent years, the benchmark names have been clear to him.
"Pedrosa, Lorenzo, Márquez, and Stoner. Rossi, as well. But I've worked with the first four."