MotoGP’s best ever wildcards – and why the era was already over

MotoGP’s ban on wildcard entries, described as being from 2027 onwards, marks the end of an era for grand prix racing’s top class.Though they have changed considerably in aim and shape over the years, wildcard entries had remained a consistent part of the MotoGP’s season make-up – and a part of its wider iconography.They could well return one day, or could not. For now, here are the standout wildcards we remember in MotoGP – and why their era had already ended before this latest news.Akira Ryo2002 Japanese GP (2nd)The early days of a new regulation cycle (the biggest in the sport’s history as 990cc four strokes replaced 500cc two strokes) was always going to lead to some wild situations – but none is perhaps stranger than what happened at the very first modern era MotoGP race at Suzuka in 2002, when Suzuki test rider Akira Ryo very nearly beat none other than Valentino …