The 8 hours from Suzuka They are much more than a resistance test. They are a tradition. A mixture of Japanese culture, tip and passion technology for motorcycles that attracts both motorcycling stars and fans around the world. It is a career where heat, strategy and reliability weigh as much as pure speed. And where names like Takahashi and Zarco They have written a new gold page.
That’s right, in the last 8 hours of resistance from Suzukaand with the added problem of the absence of a third pilot, the couple formed by Takahashi and Zarco He had to distribute all the relay in one of the most demanding editions of recent years. The Frenchman, usual in the MotoGP World Cup, and the Japanese, authentic local idol, were complemented perfectly to take Honda to the top for the 31st time in this race.
For Takahashithis is his seventh victory in Suzukaenlarging a record that already belongs to it alone, while Zarco He adds a second triumph to his record in this demanding test.
Both departed from the pole position, achieved thanks to an outstanding performance of Zarco In the Top 10 trial, where he signed a turn of 2: 04,290, a new record of the Japanese layout in classification conditions. This session, exclusive to Suzukaface the ten best teams in individual batches of a single round launched. Over there, Zarco Not only did he impose himself, but he left his stamp as one of the most complete pilots on the international panorama.
The 8 hours of Suzuka, strategy, resistance and cold blood
The day was anything but simple. The scorching asphalt, with temperatures that touched the 40º, and two security car periods altered the strategies and compressed the differences. However, the team Honda HRC He knew how to keep his head cold and take advantage of his constant rhythm, to consolidate a decisive advantage against the Yamaha Factory Racing Teamled by Andrea Locatelli and Jack Miller. The latter, despite his efforts, suffered two falls during the weekend (one in the first curve and another in the final chicane of the top 10 trial), which conditioned the team’s performance.
The podium was completed by the always competitive Yoshimura Sert Motulwhich managed to impose itself on DG Team Harc-Pro. Sling in a hard battle for the third drawer that was resolved in the last relays.
In the Superstock category, the fight was equally intense. The Japanese team Team etoilepowered by BMW and with tires Dunlophe achieved his first victory in this class, signing a perfect weekend after, in addition, to leave the pole.
The trio formed by Motoharu Ito, Hikari Okubo and Kazuki Watanabe dominated with solidity in front of TONE TEAM 4413 EVA 02 BMWwinner the previous year, which this time had to settle for the second position. He Revo-M2propelled by APRILIAclosed the podium.
Thanks to this victory, the Team etoile reaches Bol d’Or tied at points with the National Motos Honda Fmawhich had to leave after a fall, which squeezes the classification of the FIM Endurance World Cup In the absence of a single appointment.
General classification and fight for the title
Despite not climbing the podium, the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team He ended in a meritorious fifth position, which allows him to stay in the fight for the championship.
In fact, it will reach the Bol d’Or with only a disadvantage point regarding YART YAMAHA EWC Official Teamwhich abandoned after several mishaps and mechanical problems. In the absence of the final appointment in the mythical layout of Paul Ricardeverything is open in the fight for the title of 2025.
They also highlighted private teams such as the author Ube Racing Team, who achieved the third best time in classification thanks to a brilliant turn from Naomichi Uramooto, sharing a team with Loris Baz and the British Davey Todd, usual of the TT of the island of Man.
The low curtain in Suzuka, but the battle continues. Next stop: Bol d’Or, where the titles of the FIM EWC and the Superstock World Cup will be decided on a last appointment that promises to be equally intense as the lived in Japanese lands.
