Which MotoGP rider has scored the most podiums without winning a race? Pedro Acosta is now second

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Pedro Acosta scored the 10th podium of his MotoGP career at the Portuguese Grand Prix shortly before the end of the season. But he still hasn’t stood on the top step.

Acosta has established himself as one of the most talented riders on the MotoGP grid since making his debut at the start of 2024. A former Moto2 and Moto3 champion, he took pole at Motegi as a rookie but crashed out of both races.

Including Sprints, Acosta has finished in the top three 20 times without taking a victory. Partly a victim of Ducati’s recent dominance, he’s been the runner-up on eight occasions.

KTM say Acosta is the best rider aside from Marc Marquez, but this remains the biggest mark against his name. Here, MotoGP News looks at the winless premier-class riders with the most podiums.

Colin Edwards leads Pedro Acosta for most MotoGP podiums without a win

As of the end of the 2025 season, accounting for Grands Prix only, Acosta shares second place with Graeme Crosby, who represented Suzuki and Yamaha at the start of the 1980s.

The table is topped, however, by Colin Edwards. Edwards won two World Superbikes titles before moving to MotoGP with Aprilia in 2003. A teammate of Valentino Rossi, he would also feature for Honda and Yamaha, but sprayed the champagne 12 times without entering the winners’ circle.

Edwards came closest to victory at the 2006 Dutch TT, agonisingly leading into the final chicane before he went down.

Further down the list is Acosta’s KTM colleague Pol Espargaro, who has retired from full-time racing but remains active as a test rider.

Johann Zarco, now of LCR, held the record until he won the 2023 Australian GP, the 16th podium finish of his career.