MotoGP rookie rule dropped

The MotoGP's Grand Prix Commission has ratified the end of the rookie rule preventing first-year riders from joining factory teams - paving the way for Marc Marquez to potentially move straight into the works Honda squad in 2013.

Eurosport

Image credit: TNT Sports

The rookie rule was implemented as part of MotoGP's 2010 cost-cutting push, and was aimed to spread talent around the satellite teams.

Moto2 championship leader Marquez has been strongly linked to a factory Honda seat next season after Casey Stoner's decision to retire, but had the rookie rule stayed in place, it would have been necessary to place him at a satellite team for a year first.

The commission also approved a limit of four bikes - two works and two independent - per MotoGP manufacturer in 2013.

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It rejected moves to ban spare bikes and non-ferrous brake disc material, both of which had been proposed as cost-saving measures.

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