Pedro Acosta has set the record straight on his decision to leave KTM for Ducati, denying claims that his move was motivated by a desire to challenge Marc Marquez on identical machinery.

KTM CEO Gottfried Neumeister previously suggested that Acosta had turned down the manufacturer's efforts to retain him because he wanted to beat Marquez with the same bike. However, the Spanish rider has offered a different explanation, stressing that his decision was based on career development rather than personal rivalry.

Speaking during the Indonesian Grand Prix weekend, Acosta disputed Neumeister's account of their discussions, saying he never entered into negotiations with KTM over a new deal.

"The problem is that I never negotiated with KTM," Acosta said. "They sent me a contract, I told them no."

Neumeister had claimed that he personally tried to convince Acosta to stay, reportedly offering financial incentives and a competitive motorcycle for MotoGP's upcoming 850cc era. According to the KTM CEO, Acosta had made his desire to compete directly against Marquez a key reason for choosing Ducati.

Acosta, however, explained that his main objective was to secure a place in the strongest possible team. Working alongside his manager, Albert Valera, he focused on joining what he considered the most competitive team in MotoGP over the past decade.

"The only goal Albert Valera, my manager, and I had was to get me on the most competitive bike and into the most competitive team of the last 10 years," he explained.

His decision to commit to Ducati last December was also remarkably straightforward. Acosta described it as the decision he had given the least thought to in his life, reflecting his confidence in the direction he wanted his career to take.

Although competing alongside Marquez will inevitably create opportunities for comparison, Acosta said the chance to learn from the eight-time world champion was a major attraction.

"It's not about beating Marc," Acosta insisted. "It's true that the only reason I wanted to go with Marc was that I'm not going to have any more opportunities to learn from the best rider in history, or the best rider of the last 15 years."

For Acosta, sharing a garage with Marquez represents a rare opportunity to study a rider whose experience and achievements could help accelerate his own development. Rather than viewing the move as a direct contest between the two Spaniards, he sees the partnership as a chance to learn from one of MotoGP's most accomplished competitors.

His decision also appears to be shaped by previous tensions with KTM. Acosta recalled an earlier disagreement involving his contract, which reinforced his determination not to return to a situation he had found difficult.

"Then I told them that, under no circumstances, not even for all the money in the world, was I going to put myself in the same situation I was in at that time again. They should forget about it," he said.

Acosta's departure therefore reflects more than a desire to compete against Marquez. While their future rivalry will undoubtedly attract attention, the young Spaniard has made it clear that his priorities are securing competitive machinery, joining a winning environment and learning from the best.

With Ducati offering the platform he believes he needs, Acosta is looking towards the next stage of his MotoGP career with development and long-term success firmly in mind.