Pedro Acosta: Street race plans “strange” given MotoGP ‘hatred’ for Isle of Man TT

KTM rider Pedro Acosta says a MotoGP street race in Adelaide “sounds pretty good” because “I love” the Isle of Man TT, but also branded the plans "strange".

MotoGP announced on Thursday that the Australian Grand Prix would be moving from its long-time home of Phillip Island in 2027 to the series’ first-ever street track in Adelaide.

The news came just days after the Victorian government rejected a MotoGP SEG (formerly Dorna) proposal to move the race from Phillip Island to Albert Park, with funding pledged to improve the infrastructure of the current venue.

However, a deal was subsequently struck between MotoGP and the South Australian government to bring the grand prix to Adelaide from 2027.

The news was received poorly by fans on social media, with Phillip Island - despite its low attendance over the years - as one of the calendar’s classic venues.

Pedro Acosta is intrigued by the idea, but says the proposal is odd given “there are a lot of people who used to hate” the TT and road racing within the championship.

“A race on a street circuit sounds pretty good, knowing that I love the Isle of Man,” he told media on Friday ahead of the Buriram pre-season test.

“But there are a lot of people who used to hate that championship, I’d say, so it’s quite strange.”

MotoGP riders used to be a regular fixture at the Isle of Man TT as guests, but the championship has distanced itself from the road racing event over the years.

The MotoGP World Championship, as it is known today, began in 1949 at the Isle of Man TT.

Losing Phillip Island is sad

While the general consensus among riders is one of interest in the new Adelaide project, they are still sad to be leaving Phillip Island behind.

“Ultimately, I think it’s the only legendary track still on the calendar, a circuit from the old days,” Acosta added.

“It’s quite sad to lose it and see that many [tracks] could be dropped from the calendar.”

Tech3’s Maverick Vinales added: “Obviously, Phillip Island is a beautiful circuit, but if the championship changes, surely there is a reason?

“I haven’t talked to those in charge yet, but there must be different reasons behind that, and we’ll try to listen, and in the end, we’ll have a reason.

“So, if we have to go to another circuit, we will go in any case, so we have to face it in a positive way.”