Two of MotoGP's biggest stars are trading their grand prix machines for production-based superbikes, as Jack Miller and Johann Zarco have been confirmed for the 47th running of the legendary Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race.
Miller, currently riding for Pramac Yamaha in MotoGP, will rejoin the factory Yamaha team for Japan's most prestigious motorcycle race. He'll share the #21 R1 with World Superbike contender Andrea Locatelli and four-time Suzuka winner Katsuyuki Nakasuga. After Yamaha's factory comeback last year ended with a hard-fought second place, the team wasted no time committing to the 2026 edition.
"I'm absolutely stoked to be lining up for the Suzuka 8 Hours again," Miller said. "Last year was tough—having that off in the Top 10 Trial and then finishing second was frustrating. But seeing the massive turnout from Yamaha fans and staff, riding with Nakasuga-san and Loca, it turned out to be a real blast. For 2026, the goal is simple: go one better, take pole, take the win, and get onto that top step for Nakasuga-san's final year before he hangs up the leathers."
On the other side of the pit lane, LCR Honda's Johann Zarco is chasing history. The Frenchman is gunning for his third consecutive Suzuka 8 Hours victory, this time teaming up with Takumi Takahashi and World Superbike legend Jonathan Rea aboard the factory HRC machine. Zarco claimed his first win in 2024 alongside Takahashi and Teppei Nagoe, then repeated as a duo with Takahashi last year after teammates Luca Marini and Xavi Vierge were forced to withdraw.
"I am truly happy to return to the Suzuka 8 Hours again this year as a member of Honda HRC," Zarco said. "Winning last year's race was a special honour, and I will give everything I have again to aim for the top."
With pre-season testing already underway—Nakasuga handling initial laps before Miller and Locatelli join for final preparations—the stage is set for an epic showdown between two of MotoGP's fiercest rivals, now battling on production-based machinery in one of motorsport's most grueling endurance events.