MotoGP race winners Jack Miller and Johann Zarco confirmed for Suzuka 8 Hours

Miller and Zarco will renew their MotoGP rivalry on production-based bikes in Japan’s biggest motorcycle race

The Suzuka 8 Hours will again feature representation from active MotoGP riders, with both Jack Miller and Johann Zarco being confirmed for the 47th running of the event.

Pramac rider Miller will reprise his role at the factory Yamaha team, teaming up with World Superbike frontrunner Andrea Locatelli and four-time race winner Katsuyuki Nakasuga aboard the #21 R1.

In a statement issued on Monday, Yamaha said a decision on contesting the 2026 race was made immediately after it finished second on its factory comeback last year.

Initial testing of the bike will be undertaken by Nakasuga, before Miller and Locatelli join him on the updated R1 for the final test in the build-up to the event.

“I’m absolutely stoked to be lining up for the Suzuka 8 Hours again this year,” said Miller.

“Last year was a bit of a tough one, having that off in the Top 10 Trial and then finishing second in the race was pretty frustrating, to be honest. But seeing the massive turnout from the Yamaha fans and staff, and getting to ride with Nakasuga-san and Loca, plus the team putting in the hard work, it actually turned out to be a real blast.

“For 2026, the goal is simple. We want to go one better and take pole, take the win, and get ourselves onto that top step for Nakasuga-san’s final year before he hangs up the leathers! With the home crowd, the fans from all over the world, and the whole Yamaha family behind us, we’re going to give it everything we’ve got to make this the best Suzuka 8 Hours yet.”

Jack Miller,YAMAHA RACING TEAM

Photo by: Kusudo Aki

Meanwhile, LCR’s Zarco will be gunning for his third consecutive victory at the Japanese endurance classic, sharing the factory HRC bike with Takumi Takahashi, and WSBK legend Jonathan Rea.

The Frenchman celebrated his first Suzuka 8 Hours win in 2024 with Takumi Takahashi and Teppei Nagoe, before winning as a duo with Takahashi last year after both Luca Marini and Xavi Vierge were forced to withdraw for various reasons.

“I am truly happy to return to the Suzuka 8 Hours again this year as a member of Honda HRC,” said Zarco. “Winning last year’s eight-hour race was a special honour for me, and I will give everything I have again this year to aim for the top step of the podium.

"In addition to Takumi, Rea, a highly experienced and reliable rider, will join us as a new teammate this year. I am confident that we can become an even stronger team. I look forward to seeing everyone at Suzuka.”

Honda has been unbeaten at the Suzuka 8 Hours since 2022, and all three riders in its 2026 factory line-up are race winners. Not only did Takahashi win the last Suzuka 8 Hours with Zarco, he has a record seven wins at the famous Japanese venue. Rea, best known for his record six titles in WSBK, has also won the Suzuka 8 Hours twice - first with Honda and then again with Kawasaki - but last contested the race in 2022.

After retiring full-time from WSBK at the end of last year, he returned to Honda as a test rider in 2026, opening the door for another Suzuka appearance.

The 47th edition of the Suzuka 8 Hours will take place on 5 July, with the race date being moved earlier in the month to avoid clashes with other championships.