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How MotoGP lost its mind over the new Marquez

Joan Mir is MotoGP's next up-and-coming superstar - that's the theory, anyway. But why was Honda, and Suzuki still, queuing up to bring him into the premier class?

It's been almost six years since Honda's desire to call up young Moto2 ace Marc Marquez to its works line-up - as replacement for the suddenly retiring Casey Stoner - helped kill off MotoGP's rookie rule, which meant a newcomer had to spend at least a season in a premier class satellite team before joining a factory squad.

It was a rule that was both curious and short-lived, one that's difficult to imagine in the current six-manufacturer phase of MotoGP. Its most historically significant contribution is, ultimately, the way it was ditched - and what that decision subsequently paved the way for.