MotoGP is on its summer break. But a real rest period looks different for the pilots of the premier class. Many keep fit with two-wheeled units on racing bikes and motocross or souped-up street machines at track days. Johann Zarco, on the other hand, is different. The Frenchman is travelling to Japan during the three-week break to compete for his employer Honda in the Suzuka 8 Hours.
From July 17th to 21st, the ‘FIM Endurance World Championship’ or long-distance world championship for motorcycles will take place on the 5.807-kilometer-long, iconic route over eight hours. Zarco will be competing there for the first time alongside Takumi Takahashi and Teppei Nagoe. If he wins, Takahashi can become the new record winner. The HRC team was also victorious last year. Back then, Tetsuta Nagashima and Xavi Vierge formed the trio with Takahashi. Vierge had to cancel his participation this year, however, as he is competing in the World Superbike in Most this weekend.
Zarco made his ambitions for the 8-hour race clear. “I want to win. It is the most important motorcycle race and of course just as important for Honda. I am also very grateful to LCR for giving me the chance to take part here,” said the Grand Prix winner, who was able to test in Suzuka last month. There he was able to get a first impression of the track. “Suzuka is really impressive. So fast and good asphalt with good grip,” he said enthusiastically about the traditional Japanese track.
“I was able to drive there for two days and was able to learn the track very well. I tried to learn a few things from Takahashi. He is very fast, I just tried to keep up with him. At the beginning I was a bit nervous because everything was new to me. But that slowly subsided and I was able to drive more relaxed. I think it will be even better in the race.”
It’s not just the track and the bike that are new for Zarco, but also the length of the race. During the eight-hour race, in which the three teammates take turns, long stints have to be driven. “A MotoGP race lasts 40 minutes, but a stint here lasts at least an hour. That’s a big difference, I’ve never driven races for so long,” the Frenchman is aware. “But I’ve always wanted to do it. When Honda asked me, I said that I would love to do it because it’s an opportunity to do something different. I really enjoy this freedom to do other things.”
Zarco is one of the few MotoGP riders who have the privilege of racing in Suzuka. Pol Espargaro, for example, had previously taken part in the endurance classic and even won it for Yamaha. MotoGP has not raced in Suzuka since 2003. At that time, Daijiro Kato was killed in a serious accident. The track was subsequently classified as too dangerous for the premier class.