Honda announces Team HRC factory rider line-up for 44th “Coca-Cola” Suzuka 8 Hours
Having brought Honda its first victory in eight years just last year, Team HRC will compete in the Suzuka 8 Hours again this year, entering as a Honda factory team with a factory bike based on the CBR1000RR-R FIREBLADE SP. This time around, the team will be represented by FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) riders Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge, and Takumi Takahashi, who is competing in the MFJ All Japan Road Race Championship (JRR) ST1000 class this season. Takahashi was one of the winning riders at last year’s event, and a victory this year would be his fifth in total, which would see him tie for the most wins in the Suzuka 8 Hours.
Takumi Takahashi 33
“I am very happy to be able to ride in the Suzuka 8 Hours as a Team HRC rider again this year, with Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge joining us from WorldSBK. I will work with a very professional squad as me and my team-mates do our very best to win the race for Team HRC. Please come to Suzuka and give us your support!”
Private: Iker Lecuona 33
“I am looking forward to competing in the Suzuka 8 Hours again this year and representing Team HRC. Last year, we were able to win the race, but it wasn’t easy and the victory made us realize just how challenging it is to reach the top. This year, my teammates will be Takumi Takahashi and Xavi Vierge and I’m looking forward to racing with them. The plan is to work hard and aim for the top step of the podium again!”
Xavi Vierge 33
“This will be the first time I’m riding in the Suzuka 8 Hours. I’m excited to be able to compete on the same stage on which so many riders have made history. Iker Lecuona is my teammate in WSBK, and Takumi Takahashi is a great rider who has won many 8 Hours races in the past. I believe that we can win this race if the three of us pull together. We hope to see many of our fans there cheering us on!”
Tetsuta Nagashima 33
“Unfortunately, due to an injury to my left foot, I was not in the best physical shape at the time of entry this year. But I am focusing on my rehabilitation and working hard to recover fully so that I am able to race. I have a real passion for the 8 Hours and have not given up on the idea of competing. I am still in the process of recovery, but I would really like to join Team HRC again.”
Location Information
SUZUKA 8HOURS ESSENTIAL* Name: SUZUKA CIRCUIT Location: 7992 Ino-Cho, Suzuka-shi, Mie-ken 510-0295, Japan Track length: 5.821 kilometres Race distance: 8 hours Official website Suzuka Circuit Suzuka Circuit Operated by Honda-owned Mobilityland, Suzuka features a unique figure-of-eight layout and presents a considerable challenge for riders thanks to its wide variety of corners.… read more.
7992 Inoucho, Suzuka, Mie, Japan - View in Google Maps
Records
| POLE POSITION RECORD | 2'04.934s Team HRC - Tetsuta Nagashima - Honda CBR1000RR-R SP (2022) |
| RACE RECORD | 2'06.805s Kawasaki Racing Team - Jonathan Rea - Kawasaki ZX10RR (2019) |
