As the curtain twitches in readiness for it being brought down on another season of MotoGP action, even with two rounds remaining it certainly isn’t premature to brand Pedro Acosta’s rookie campaign a roaring success.

It’s a statement that could justly hang on the strength of results alone, his five trips to the grand prix podium, four sprint top-three finishes and Japanese GP pole position at the very least ensuring some TV time for those sponsors that didn’t default to Ducati – thoughts and prayers to the others that sided with Honda and Yamaha.

More than that though, while he may be the only fresh face on the grid this year, in some ways it feels as though he has been around for much longer.

Granted this could be a trick of the mind permeated by that fresh face having received plenty of attention prior to his MotoGP graduation or because it’s easy to mistake his GasGas KTM Tech3 machine for a Ducati from a certain distance, but it’s also primarily a measure of how at home he has appeared in MotoGP since day one. Indeed, some quick turns out of the box in pre-season testing was enough for Acosta to skip the recipe instructions and get stuck into the mix.

The same was on show in Thailand where, in his first fully wet MotoGP race, Acosta learnt on the job to power to the podium only behind title fighters Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin.

“I was struggling a lot to warm up the brake disks and, I don’t know why but since I am in MotoGP, it is taking me a bit more time compared to, for example, Jack and Brad,” Acosta said after the race. “Also I was not having the best feeling with the rear tyre, out of Turns 5 and 6 I was spinning a lot and it was like riding on ice. It was quite tough to analyse in my head.

Acosta’s late-race charge in Thailand saw him return to the podium

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

“I started to push to take out everything and it was quite tough at the beginning, also I ran wide at Turn 3 and Turn 1, but it is true that with five or six laps to go it was like I pulled a switch and I started to go fast. It is difficult to understand, but we were in the right direction.”

It’s therefore little wonder Acosta will graduate to full factory orange for 2025 as part of KTM’s line-up alongside Brad Binder, though the jury is perhaps still out on whether the promotion is more symbolic than reward in performance terms.

At the very least, Acosta’s switch will give KTM pride – and possibly a touch of smugness – at seeing the fruits of its investment in the youngster reap rewards, not least because it puts some faith back into the firm’s esteemed junior development after misfiring with Remy Gardner, Raul Fernandez and Augusto Fernandez in recent seasons. But next season will see a turning of the tables that will shift the onus back towards KTM to reward Acosta with his investment in the manufacturer for taking him onto the next step, or more accurately the top step of the podium.

While KTM has provided the platform to get Acosta to MotoGP, it is now up to the manufacturer to springboard him towards race victories he is evidently capable of achieving

Acosta has also conceded he has to “bite my tongue” and bank finishes in order to gain race data and experience with an eye on the future – having crashed out of the Thailand sprint race to go alongside his two grands prix crashes at each Misano round, the Japanese GP main race and the Australian GP sprint which ruled him out of the next day’s full-distance event.

“I have to focus on finishing races even if I have to bite my tongue and finish fifth,” Acosta said after crashing out of the Thailand sprint on Saturday. “Many times we are at a point where we push and we don’t crash because that’s the way it goes, and many other days we push to be with them [Ducati] and we crash. Now the goal is to finish races, which will be important to start well next year.”

It’s by no means a foregone conclusion either. While KTM has readily earmarked itself as a familiar frontrunner ever since its breakthrough season in 2020, it hasn’t been matched with so much race-winning silverware.

KTM’s last grand prix win came two years ago in Thailand

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Miguel Oliveira brought about its most recent win at the 2022 Thailand GP, this weekend marking an unhappy two-year anniversary, and while he achieved four of KTM’s six victories to date, his form elsewhere was patchy. Binder on the other hand – winner of the other two – has established himself as a steadfast racer rather than an out-and-out contender for victories each weekend.

Of greater concern however is that while KTM has avoided the slump in competitiveness experienced by Honda and Yamaha, it has made only modest progress over the past four seasons amid a deluge of well proven Ducati bikes.

It hasn’t gone unnoticed, of course, with the big axe being wielded at a senior level to remove Francesco Guidotti a year before his contract expires. In his place comes Aki Ajo, a shrewd choice with impressive credentials cultivated by his eponymous team’s success in Moto2 and Moto3. More importantly, however, he is someone who shared KTM’s vision for Acosta long before he reached the heady heights of MotoGP.

Even so, while KTM has provided the platform to get Acosta to MotoGP, it is now up to the manufacturer to springboard him towards race victories he is evidently capable of achieving.

This brings us to another more engaging trait of Acosta’s: His ambition. Indeed, for all of his confident swagger on track, Acosta exerts similarly bolshie determination off it.

For a manufacturer not adverse to the odd contractual bungle, credit then to Acosta for being the one to issue the ultimatum of a guaranteed KTM seat in 2024 or he’d head elsewhere. While KTM sensibly bowed to his demand, it’s indicative of the issues it may face in the future in retaining him if it can’t find those precious few tenths that will make the difference between victory and making up the numbers in MotoGP.

For the most part though, KTM isn’t prepared to rest on its laurels for 2025. In addition to Ajo’s appointment, there is talk Dani Pedrosa will assume a more senior management role in addition to continuing to provide his invaluable development intel.

Can Acosta reuniting with team boss Ajo provide KTM a spark to reignite its MotoGP form?

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Plus, while Tech3’s new line-up of Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini is at odds with KTM’s desire to promote young talent, their experience and success with other manufacturers ensures the Austrian firm has arguably the most intriguing rider line-up among its four riders.

No rider is bigger than the team it races for but in this case, KTM is very aware of the potential it has racing with Acosta.

As for whether KTM has the ability to realise Acosta’s full potential? That remains the lingering question mark…

Can KTM provide Acosta and co with the bike to fight Ducati in 2025?

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

REAL MADRID are set to BOYCOTT tonight’s Ballon d’Or ceremony amid reports Vinicius Jr has NOT won, according to reports.

The Brazilian winger, 24, has long been tipped to win football’s most-prestigious individual award after a stellar year.

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However, shocking reports are now claiming Vinicius Jr has NOT won.

And Real Madrid officials are not taking the news well.

Paris-based RMC Sport claim: “The first consequence of this upcoming twist at the Ballon d’Or, and not the least, is that the Real Madrid delegation has cancelled its visit to Paris.

“Madrid president Florentino Perez is furious.”

RMC Sport journalist Fabrice Hawkins earlier claimed: “Vinicius Jr’s entourage are now convinced that the Real Madrid forward will NOT be named as the #BallonDor winner.

“Everyone in Madrid has this feeling.”

Manchester City star Rodri is now tipped to win the gong, with Vinicius Jr second and the latter’s club-mate Jude Bellingham in third.

As well as leading Pep Guardiola’s side to a fourth straight Premier League title – and sixth in seven seasons – midfield linchpin Rodri guided Spain to the Euro 2024 title, beating England in the final.

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Vinicius Jr also enjoyed a glittering year, helping to lead his club to the LaLiga and Champions League titles in 2023-24.

The red-hot forward scored six and assisted four more in just ten Champions League games as Real won their 15th European crown.

The Brazilian even scored the second in the 2-0 final win over Borussia Dortmund.

Vini Jr was also involved in 20 goals in just 26 LaLiga games last season.

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The Maryland Miracle won the weekend, with the Commanders topping the Bears in a battle of top draft picks, but it was a pair of losses that shake up my rankings this week. The Vikings and Ravens suffered disappointing defeats, leaving openings for the Texans and Packers to slide up. 

The Chiefs and Lions, meanwhile, continue to hold firm to the top spots. And there’s something brewing at the bottom of the Top 10, with the Bills and Eagles showing that they could be teams to reckon with in the second half. 

Here’s my Top 10 for Week 8 of the 2024 season.

1. Kansas City Chiefs
Last week: 1

Andy Reid’s squad lacks the flash of some of his previous championship teams, but it keeps stacking wins against quality competition. Led by a disruptive defense that creates turnovers and splash plays, the Chiefs can rely on Chris Jones & Co. to make enough game-changing plays to sustain the squad until Patrick Mahomes regains his MVP form. Considering the Chiefs have raced out to a 7-0 start without No. 15 playing his best ball, the rest of the league should pay close attention to how the defending champs are getting it done without relying extensively on the quarterback to make it happen each week. 

2. Detroit Lions
Last week: 2

Dan Campbell’s team specializes in punching opponents in the mouth behind a dominant offensive line and destructive defensive front. Though Detroit’s dynamic skill players routinely grab the headlines, the blue-collar frontline players set the tone for a team built on grit and toughness. With the Lions’ trench play capable of masking some inconsistencies on the perimeter, the NFC’s top team looks like a formidable title contender.

3. Houston Texans
Last week: 7

Joe Mixon’s re-emergence as a high-end back has elevated an offense sputtering without Nico Collins in the lineup. Mixon has four 100-yard games in five starts, flashing the strength, power and explosiveness that earned him Pro Bowl honors in 2021. As the Texans rely on a balanced offense to take the load off C.J. Stroud and complement an opportunistic defensive unit that suffocates opponents, Mixon’s production as the No. 1 back is critical to the team’s strong start. 

4. Green Bay Packers
Last week: 6

Malik Willis does not look like the same QB prospect who flamed out in Tennessee as a third-round pick. The third-year pro filled in admirably for Jordan Love (groin injury) as an emergency sub in Week 8 with a strong second-half culminating in a game-winning drive. Given the Packers’ turnover-obsessed defense and adaptable offense, Matt LaFleur has a team that can win in various ways. 

5. Washington Commanders
Last week: 5

The legend of Jayden Daniels continues to grow, with the Hail Mary cementing his superhero status. The dynamic dual-threat can single-handedly carry the Commanders to a win with or without his supporting cast playing up to par. As Dan Quinn continues to tweak the defensive lineup and tactics to maximize his personnel, the Commanders can rest easy knowing No. 5 can throw on his cape and rescue them from any situation. 

6. Minnesota Vikings
Last week: 3

Back-to-back losses have led to some concerns over the Vikings’ ultra-aggressive pressure tactics. The defense has given up too many big plays in crucial moments due to blown assignments or misaligned defenders. Though DC Brian Flores has dialed back the pressure to balance out his approach, the defense needs to get back on track before the rest of the division leaves the Vikings in the dust. 

7. Baltimore Ravens
Last week: 4

A disappointing loss to a bitter division rival raises concerns over Baltimore’s defensive performance. The secondary is surrendering big plays at an alarming rate, with the pass rush unable to mask the inconsistent coverage. Though John Harbaugh has made some lineup changes and added a mentor to help DC Zachary Orr fix the problems, the Ravens defense could keep them from challenging the heavyweights in the AFC. 

8. Pittsburgh Steelers
Last week: 8

A win over the New York Giants on Monday night would keep the Steelers in the hunt as a dark-horse contender. As Russell Wilson gets more comfortable running the offense as the new QB1, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith could expand the playbook to add more diversity to a unit that has relied on a ground-and-pound approach in the first half of the season. 

9. Buffalo Bills
Last week: 9

Don’t look now, but the Bills are becoming the juggernaut that some envisioned when Josh Allen stepped onto the scene. The MVP candidate challenges defenses with his unique talents as a dual-threat playmaker on the perimeter. Whether throwing lasers to an unheralded cast of pass-catchers or rumbling between the tackles on designed QB runs, the 6-foot-5, 237-pounder is an unstoppable force with the ball in his hands. 

10. Philadelphia Eagles
Last week: Not in Top 10

It has taken the Eagles a little longer than expected to find their identity, but the Jalen Hurts–Saquon Barkley combination has helped the team get back to its roots as a grind-it-out squad with big-play potential. The duo’s physicality and dominance as runners set the tone for an offense at its best when pushing opponents around at the point of attack. With the defense rounding into form under Vic Fangio, the Eagles again look like a potential title contender. 

Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He also breaks down the game for NFL Network and as a cohost of the “Moving the Sticks” podcast. Follow him on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.

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Israel Adesanya didn’t expect to have his name called on Saturday night.

Following Shara Magomedov’s amazing double backfist knockout of Armen Petrosyan that kicked off the UFC 308 main card, Magomedov—popularly known as “Shara Bullet”—declared himself the best striker in the middleweight division and targeted Adesanya for his next fight.

In a reaction video posted to his YouTube, Adesanya evoked a pair of memes to react to the callout.

“Keep my name out your f*cking mouth,” Adesanya said with a laugh, bringing up the famous clip of Will Smith threatening Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony.

He then added, “What the f*ck did I do? What he say f*ck me, for?” a reference to rapper 50 Cent’s confused reaction to being verbally attacked by boxer Floyd Mayweather in 2014.

According to Magomedov, he has been pursuing a bout with Adesanya since the two were competitors on the Chinese kickboxing circuit. That might be news to Adesanya, who didn’t appear to acknowledge any prior history with the undefeated contender.

Adesanya, a two-time UFC champion, is coming off of a submission loss to rival Dricus du Plessis this past August. He was attempting to win the middleweight title a third time, but instead lost for the third time in four fights.

Watch Adesanya’s UFC 308 reaction video below.

ABU DHABI – UFC 308 marked a pair of fresh experiences for Kennedy Nzechukwu.

Nzechukwu (13-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC) made his divisional debut Saturday at heavyweight as he defeated Chris Barnett (23-9 MMA, 2-3 UFC) via first-round TKO at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

The fight ended due in part to an injury to Barnett’s leg, but Nzcehukwu was still happy to simply get his feet wet in his new competitive frame.

“It was since my doctors told me that with my frame, my organs were going to hurt me in the long run,” Nzechukwu told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference. “I was vomiting every time during fight week. Just cutting that last 10 pounds was killing me. I walk around at 245. Just cutting that 40 pounds is too much. I use different nutritionists and it just wasn’t working. The last three days were hell, so we decided to go up in weight. It just felt better here.”

Nzechukwu, who previously needed to hit 206 pounds on the scale at light heavyweight, weighed in at 241 pounds at Friday’s weigh-ins. Nzechukwu said his focus was on strength training during this camp, which he did mostly with a new coach, Steven Wright, of War Room MMA in Forth Worth, Texas. Nzcheukwu’s longtime coach Sayif Saud, of Fortis MMA, also cornered him for Saturday’s fight.

“I just had to focus on my skill set,” Nzechukwu said. “Athleticism can only take you so far in this sport. So just upgrading. That’s when I moved to War Room. That’s my coach right there, Steven Wright. He’s been helping me. We’ve been making tremendous leaps and bounds. I’m just grateful for God.”

“… I just needed to upgrade. I needed someone who is nerdy about the striking game. Ask coach Steve and he just knows it. He’s been training and trains with a lot of different Dutch fighters, Thai fighters. He just has developed a lot of experience over the years. I just need to absorb all that.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.