Johann Zarco, Jonathan Rea team up for Honda’s Suzuka 8 Hours campaign
Honda will go for a fifth successive Suzuka 8 Hours win with Zarco and Rea as part of its line-up this year
Honda has announced that MotoGP winner Johann Zarco and World Superbike legend Jonathan Rea will team up together to defend its Suzuka 8 Hours crown in 2026.
The Japanese manufacturer has been unstoppable at the iconic enduro in recent years, scoring victories in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Two-time MotoGP race winner Johann Zarco helped the marque to two of those wins in 2024 and 2025, and will return again in 2026 to go for a third successive victory.
He will partner six-time World Superbike champion and Honda test rider Jonathan Rea, who last won at Suzuka in 2019 with Kawasaki.
Rea previously won Suzuka with Honda in 2012.
The pair will join Honda veteran Takumi Takahashi on the factory-spec Fireblade.
Zarco said: “I am truly happy to return to the Suzuka 8 Hours again this year as a member of Honda HRC.
“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 team-mate this year.
“I am confident that we can become an even stronger team. I look forward to seeing everyone at Suzuka.”
Rea, who will be making his first Suzuka outing since 2022, added: “I am sincerely happy to return once again to this historic eight-hour endurance race as a Honda HRC rider.
“I am also proud to compete as part of a team that has achieved the outstanding feat of four consecutive victories.
“Although it has been some time since I last competed in an eight-hour race, there is no doubt about the potential of the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP at Suzuka Circuit.
“Together with Takumi and Zarco, I will give everything to take victory.”
Honda MotoGP rider Luca Marini had recently ruled himself out of campaigning the 8 Hours with HRC, owing to difficulties in matching bike set-up to his height relative to his team-mates.
The Japanese brand has also confirmed the line-ups for its other entries.
The SDG Team HARC-Pro will field Teppei Nagoe, Keito Abe and Yuki Kunii, while F.C.C. TSR Honda France will run Alan Techer, Corentin Perolari and John McPhee.
The Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo squad will run former Moto3 race winner Khairul Idham Pawi, Nakarin Atiratphuvapat and Md. Adenanta Putra.
The 2026 Suzuka 8 Hours will take place on 5 July.
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