Johann Zarco has confirmed he will return to the Suzuka 8 Hours for a shot at a third consecutive victory in 2026.
The LCR Honda rider teamed up with Takumi Takahashi to secure Honda’s record-extending 31st win in last year’s event.
The duo overcame a factory Yamaha challenge that included Zarco’s fellow MotoGP rider Jack Miller despite being reduced to a two-rider entry in the gruelling heat, after Xavi Vierge withdrew.
“Just doing it with two riders was really, really difficult,” Zarco said at the time.
“Thanks to Takumi because he’s always doing the job, every stint, and that’s so impressive.
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“I tried to do the same, and I hope next year we will be three riders.”
While Honda’s 2026 Suzuka line-up is yet to be announced, Zarco confirmed he will again be involved.
“The 8 Hours of Suzuka has almost become a tradition for me with Honda,” Johann Zarco told the official EWC website.
“It’s also part of our contract because they need a top rider to try to win, and I really enjoy racing there.”
This year’s event will present an added challenge, falling between MotoGP rounds rather than during the summer break.
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“What’s going to be tricky this year is that it falls between two Grand Prix races,” Zarco confirmed.
“So I’ll be racing back-to-back in the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Suzuka and Germany.
“That means four weeks straight.”
The MotoGP summer break then starts after the Sachsenring.
Despite the demanding schedule, Zarco is confident he can be competitive.
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“Given the experience I’ve gained at Suzuka, I know I have enough speed to let’s say, get there, get up to speed on Wednesday and be competitive on Sunday.”
Takahashi is also expected to return with six-time WorldSBK champion, HRC test rider and former Suzuka winner Jonathan Rea among those linked to the third seat.
Miller, meanwhile, has yet to confirm his participation for Yamaha due to the MotoGP calendar.
“I’d like to do it, but it’ll be tight,” Miller told Crash.net last year.
“It’s during the weekend off between Assen and Sachsenring, and takes a little bit to recover from.
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“I’m not saying I can’t do it, but whether they want me to do it is another thing!
“I’ll ask – the more racing for me the better, but we’ll see.”
Zarco, winner of last year’s home French Grand Prix for Honda, is one of the few MotoGP riders with a confirmed contract for 2027.
This year’s Suzuka 8 Hours will be held from 3-5 July.
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