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KTM rider Pedro Acosta has hit out at Gresini Ducati's Alex Marquez after the Spaniard triggered an opening-lap collision in Saturday's Sprint at the Japanese Grand Prix, taking out both Acosta and Fabio Di Giannantonio.
The incident brought an abrupt end to Acosta's promising weekend at Motegi. The young Spaniard had qualified on the front row, looking to build on the momentum of his maiden premier-class victory in Austria last month.
Race Stewards deemed Marquez solely responsible for the crash, handing the Gresini rider a double long-lap penalty for Sunday's Grand Prix race.
Acosta labeled Marquez's dive down the inside at Turn 3 as overly ambitious, lamenting a missed opportunity to close the gap on Marco Bezzecchi in the championship standings.
"That's racing, but it was definitely a rushed move. It was far too early in the race for that kind of attempt when fighting for a podium," a frustrated Acosta said. "We had the pace for a top result. Marc was flying, so winning might not have been realistic, but it was a great day to finish on the podium. We could have closed the gap on Marco, and within three corners we lost everything."
This is far from the first on-track flashpoint between Acosta and Marquez. The pair collided at Assen last season, leaving Marquez injured, while the Gresini rider directed an obscene gesture toward his compatriot during the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano two rounds ago. They also made contact at Catalunya in May, although that incident stemmed from a mechanical issue on the KTM.
Fabio Di Giannantonio, who was seen limping into the media centre following the crash, was equally unimpressed with Marquez's riding, albeit far more succinct in his reaction.
"Ask Alex," Di Giannantonio said. When informed that Marquez would not be speaking to journalists after the Sprint, the Italian offered a sarcastic reply: "Obviously..."
Despite skipping media duties, Alex Marquez later issued an official statement taking full responsibility for the incident and accepting his sanction.
"A tough day, one of those where you have to learn the lesson and move forward," Marquez said. "I made a mistake at Turn 3 trying to make an overtake on the opening lap. Unfortunately, I crashed and took two other riders down with me, which is what bothers me the most. That's racing, but it always hurts when situations like this happen. Tomorrow's double long-lap penalty is completely deserved. We will give everything in Sunday's race; tomorrow is a new day."
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