Here are five of the most memorable MotoGP wildcards
From 2027 MotoGP will ban wildcard entries, so we’ve decided to look back at some of the most memorable wildcard appearances.
MotoGP has added another layer to its list of rule changes for 2027, with the Grand Prix Commission confirming that wildcard entries will be scrapped from the start of 2027.
It’s a decision that will directly affect manufacturers, especially those that sit towards the bottom of the concessions rank. The current system sees each team given a rank between A and D based on the percentage of points they have scored over a certain period. Those at the lower end of the ranking are given less restrictions on how many tests they can carry out. It also means they can use more wildcard entries at MotoGP events.
But all that will change from the start of next season, which is why we’re going to run through five of the most memorable wildcards in MotoGP.
Katsuyuki Nakasuga rises to second place in Valencia
One of the most memorable results for any wildcard rider in the MotoGP era, Katsuyuki Nakasuga finished second behind Dani Pedrosa at the 2012 season finale.
It was a particularly impressive result as the Yamaha rider had only made one other appearance that season. However, that only tells one half of the story, as Nakasuga stayed out on a damp track with slick tyres.
The Yamaha test rider started the race in 20th, before finishing P2 by more than 22 seconds ahead of Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner in the Australian’s final grand prix.
Valencia witnesses a shock victory in 2006
One of the most shocking MotoGP victories took place nearly 20 years ago when Troy Bayliss won on the factory Ducati.
After a difficult spell in MotoGP from 2003 to 2005, also with Ducati, Bayliss moved back to the World Superbike championship where he would go on to win the 2006 title.
But his most impressive result that year was arguably the final round of the MotoGP season, as Ducati turned to its Superbike champion to stand in for the injured Sete Gibernau. Although Bayliss was more of an injury stand-in than a wildcard, the Australian had not ridden a MotoGP bike in well over a year.
After qualifying in second, Bayliss went on to win the race ahead of Loris Capirossi and Nicky Hayden.
Rossi holds off a Japanese wildcard rider at Suzuka
In 2002, Valentino Rossi kick-started his 500cc title defence with a win at the iconic Suzuka circuit, but not before an intense battle with wildcard rider Akira Ryo.
The Japanese rider made an explosive start to the race as he moved up from seventh to first on the opening lap. Ryo would continue to lead for another 15 laps before Rossi eventually gained the lead on lap 16.
Ryo was close to leading once more on lap 19, however, Rossi found a way to keep the wildcard rider behind, following a race-long battle. Rossi would ultimately push clear, winning the race by 1.5 seconds, although Ryo’s performance was certainly one to remember.
Pedrosa rolls back the years in Jerez
Pedrosa made a name for himself at Honda and will go down as one of the best, if not the best MotoGP rider never to win the premier class title. However, the Spanish rider is also going to be remembered for producing one of the best wildcard performances in MotoGP.
That’s because Pedrosa achieved a podium finish with KTM at the 2024 Jerez sprint, which followed a double P4 finish in the sprint and Grand Prix at Misano, in 2023.
Pedrosa’s third place finish came after Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo (third at the line) was one of several riders that received a penalty for having a low tyre pressure.
Yamaha debuts its V4 M1 at Misano
Moving away from result-based moments, arguably the most significant wildcard appearance in recent times was the debut of Yamaha’s new V4 engine.
The company debuted its V4 power unit at Misano in 2025, with test rider Augusto Fernandez in charge of testing the new machine.
The 2025 San Marino Grand Prix was never about results for Yamaha’s new V4, but instead a chance to put miles on the bike, which then reappeared as a wildcard at other races later in the year.
Yamaha debuted the bike ahead of switching from the inline-four to the V4 this season, however, results have still been disappointing so far, ahead of the regulation change to 850cc engines in 2025.
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After graduating with a sports journalism degree, Robert joined Crash.net to lead the WorldSBK coverage in 2021, while also providing MotoGP coverage. Fulfilling that role for over three years, Robert was able to put his knowledge about all things racing to the test.
