MotoGP interview, Acosta Sr.: “I didn’t want this life for my son”

While passing through Cartagena, as part of the private tests organized by Johann Zarco, in December, PaddockGP had the chance to meet Pedro Acosta's dad on his fishing boat, moored in the city's port. During our discussions, which you will have the opportunity to discover little by little in the days to come, we were able to discuss a wide range of subjects, from the world of fishing to that of motorcycling, focusing on the route from his son to MotoGP, where he now plays for the KTM factory team.

The first part of this interview is dedicated to the atypical destiny of Mr. Acosta, this fisherman, a motorcycle enthusiast since the days of Kevin Schwantz's Grands Prix, and whose son will become one of the main players in the sport that inspired him at the time. through the screens.

Hello Mr. Acosta, what a beautiful boat! Tell us a little about your business.
“We are with the Ricardos Fuentes company, which works exclusively with tuna. All my life I have been a fisherman. I take anchovies, mackerel, bonito and sardines. But life has changed, and it's increasingly difficult in the fishing industry. So in the end, we had a little meeting with the company, Ricardo Fuentes, and they gave us work. It's been four years now, and everything is going well in the tuna business and all that. This gave me more time to travel with my son, Pedro, to world championship races. And it's great, it's wonderful. »

Are you spending all night at sea?
“Yes, all night. You saw, we leave around eleven in the morning, and we don't return to the port until 8 in the morning. We do a week like that as a group, and the following weeks are other groups. So each group works for a week and a half. This gives us quite a bit of free time to be with the family at home. Ultimately, being able to stay with your family is priceless in life. It's really good. Nothing is more valuable in life than being with your family, and those you love. We're very good, and what's more, I have a lot more time to be with Pedro a little [Acosta]. It's more complicated than before. He is always traveling, to events, to interviews,… You know how this world works. »

Do you ever go to the Grands Prix?
“Yes, yes, I’ll go there as soon as I can. Before, I went there more often. Two years ago I did the whole world championship. I haven't missed a single race, I know all the trips and circuits. This year I missed the Asian tour, because it's a bit long. That's a lot of time spent away from home. This year, my wife made it. Pedro's mother, Miriam, went with him. I stayed here, with the boat and the workers. »

A boat decorated with all your son's numbers!
” Yes ! Since he was little and started riding motorcycles, I started decorating the boat a little. I put the 34 on him when he was little, because I was a big fan of Kevin Schwantz. He always wore 34, which was the number I liked. But when he grew up, and we thought there was an opportunity to join the world championship, we had to find another one. It's Kevin Swhantz's number, and no one will wear it anymore, because it's retired in MotoGP. We needed a number that no one wears, and that they like. The idea to run with the 37 came to him, and he stayed with the 37.”

He will get it back this year, after having to spend a year with the 31.

“That’s it, he’s taking it back this year, thanks to Augusto. As you know, he becomes a test rider at Yamaha, so Pedro gets his original number back. We'll see what happens, because it's a big motivation for him. To have his number. He is very happy with the way the KTM project is progressing. We have high hopes, because KTM is our brand. We've been saying that since Pedro started in the Red Bull Rookies Cup, before Moto3 and Moto2. We'll see if we can fight against the Ducatis. It will be very complicated, but not impossible. He is motivated, and very happy with the project. We must move forward. »

Fish don't fear Mazzaron's shark?
“They are very scared, very scared (laughs). Ultimately, people here identify a lot with Pedro. They are called sharks, 'Baby sharks'. »

Do people recognize you at sea with this boat?
” Yes yes. And especially in summer. When we are here, and we make the tuna cages, a lot of people come, tourists, etc. They approach the boat to ask questions, take photos and all that. It's a lovely thing, that people share your hopes. It's great. »

And Pedro accompanies you to sin from time to time?
“When he was little. When he was between 6 and 8 years old, I took him on the boat to fish from time to time. But I never wanted him to become a fisherman or anything. It's not that it's something bad, it's good. But you spend a lot of time away from home, because this boat is not a trawler, it's a purse seiner. With this we are always where the fish are. I fished in the Gulf of Lion, in Rosas, Barcelona, ​​Valencia, Cullera. In short, the whole Mediterranean. So I was always away from home. I didn't want this life for my son. I preferred him to be a firefighter, a policeman, I don't know. Something he likes. When he was little, I took him with me to show him what it was like, how hard it was. »

Finally, he chose the motorcycle…

In the second part of our interview with Pedro Acosta's dad, you will learn more about the Spaniard's incredible journey to MotoGP, in a family facing certain financial limitations.