Pedro A൲costa ♛has received a glowing reference after Aleix Espargaro got a close-up view of his talent.

Rookie Acꦑosta shone at the preseason MotoGP test in Sepang by going second-fastest on the opening day.

His emergence resulted in Pol Espargaro bei✃ng demoted from Tech3 GASGAS full-time rider to a KTM test spot.

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

“Since arriving in the champꦯionship he has done extraord🌟inary things.

“It’s just hಞis third time in Sepang, his second t🌼ime in MotoGP.

“Obvཧiously he has been riding for a lot of [time].

“When you see him on track, I was riding with him for a co🌳uple of laps, you see the lines tha﷽t he’s taking. They are not rookie lines.

“It’s unbelievable how fast he learns.

“He is one to watch during the season.”

Alei🐟x said about A💝prilia’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 programme since I’ve been at Aprilia. I am pr♒oud.

“The ‘24 spec bike is promis🌊ing, it’s looki💦ng good. I can’t wait to go to Qatar.”

✅Aleix’s sprint simulation was seven seconds faster than it wa♛s a year ago.

“We did a soꦚlid job. Michelin told me that we simulated the sprint with used tyres,” he said.

“It was 🐓almost our qualifying lap time of last year so I’m happy with these improvements.𒉰”

But Aprilia boss Massimo Rivola claims they cannot fig🌊ht for the champion🦄ship.

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

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

“We improved a lot. The bike ജis definitely better than last season’s.

“I’m not sure if we’re able to fight for th⛦e title yet. We still have time.

“Ma♛ssimo is right. [Ducati] 🐼are still the bike to beat.”