Pol Espargaro believes the Austrian Grand Prix could give Pedro Acosta one of his strongest opportunities yet to secure a first MotoGP victory. The Red Bull Ring is KTM’s home event, and Acosta arrives with eight runner-up finishes in the premier class. That record makes him the most successful MotoGP rider still waiting for a Grand Prix win.

Acosta has already won a Sprint at the season-opening round in Buriram, but a Sunday victory remains absent. His remaining time with KTM is also limited. Depending on what happens in Qatar, he has seven or eight grands prix left before joining the factory Ducati team for 2027 alongside Marc Marquez.

Why Espargaro sees promise in Austria

KTM test rider Espargaro will again replace the injured Maverick Vinales at Tech3 this weekend. His optimism is not based solely on Austria being KTM’s home round. He pointed to Acosta’s strong results at Misano and Aragon, circuits where KTM has struggled, as evidence that the rider has been producing more than the bike’s usual track profile would suggest. Even so, Espargaro made clear that a favourable venue does not guarantee a win.

His assessment of Acosta was emphatic: he described the rider’s level as equal to that of the best competitors in the category. Acosta is currently fifth in the world championship, and Motegi — the next round after Austria — is another circuit where he has previously excelled with KTM. The manufacturer is still looking for its next Sunday MotoGP victory; its last one came with Miguel Oliveira at Buriram in 2022.