Pedro Acosta has received a glowing reference after Aleix Espargaro go✨t a close-up view of his talent.

Rookie Acosta shone at the presea▨son MotoGP test in Sepang by going second-fastest on the opening day.

His emergence resulted in Pol Espargaro being demo༒ted from Tech3 GASGAS full-time rider to a KTM test spot.

“Pedro’s talent is amazing,” Aleix said.

“Since arriving in the championship he has done extr🎃aordinary things.

“It’s just his third time in Sepang, his se𝔉cond time in MotoGP.

“Obviously he has been riding for a lot of [timꦅe].

“When you see hi💝m on track, I was riding with him for a couple of laps, you see the linꦡes that he’s taking. They are not rookie lines.

“It’s unbelievable how fast he learns.

“He is one to watch during the season.”

Aleix said about Aprilia’s showing at🗹 the Sepang test: “Very happy overall. I enjoyed this first test of the season.

“We did a really good job. We’ve completed our best test pಞrogramme since I’ve been🌄 at Aprilia. I am proud.

“📖The ‘24 sp🐠ec bike is promising, it’s looking good. I can’t wait to go to Qatar.”

Aleix’s 🐬sprint simu🍨lation was seven seconds faster than it was a year ago.

“We did a solid job. ༒Michelin told me that we simulated th🍸e sprint with used tyres,” he said.

“It wa🌟s almost our qualifying lap time of last year so I’m happy with 🌜these improvements.”

But Aprilia boss𒅌 Massimo Rivola claims they ca❀nnot fight for the championship.

“He’s right,” Aleix said. “Once again, all the﷽ Ducatis were on top.

“I was the only bike in the mix with them.

“W😼e improved a lot. The bike is definitely better than last season’s.

“I’m not sure i🌃f we’re able to fight for the tꦦitle yet. We still have time.

“Massimo is right. [Ducati] are still the 🤡bike to beat.”