The Suzuka 8 Hours: A Test of MotoGP Riders

The Suzuka 8 Hours event provides a unique opportunity to witness the skills of MotoGP riders compared to other professionals. This race is Japan's largest motorcycle endurance event and is part of the FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC). Known for its tough nature, the 8-hour race starts in the mid-morning and finishes in the early evening.

This year, the focus is not just on the race itself, but also on the preparation leading up to it, which has proven challenging for MotoGP stars.

A few months ago, Luca Marini, a MotoGP and Honda Factory rider, suffered severe injuries while training for the Suzuka Circuit race. Recently, Jack Miller of Pramac Yamaha also had a hard fall at the same circuit.

During the second qualifying session, Miller, representing Yamaha Racing Team (YRT), had a high-speed crash at turn one. Despite the damage to his Yamaha YZF-R1, Miller managed to walk away unharmed.

Miller commented, "All okay, I’m suffering honestly, there’s a lot to stop the bike. We’re a little bit soft in the front, and in full-time attack mode, you know, you ask a little bit more, and she said ‘no más’. It’s been a good day so far, and thankfully, I’m okay. Turn 1 is a fast spot, and the wall is quite close, so I’m glad [I’m okay].”

Despite the incident, YRT secured the third position in qualifying. The participation of riders like Miller and Marini in an EWC round showcases the risks involved for manufacturers who have heavily invested in these athletes. Marini had to miss three MotoGP rounds due to his injuries from the Suzuka crash.

Having MotoGP riders compete in an EWC round underscores the significance of this event for manufacturers, especially Japanese ones, as it takes place on home turf with bragging rights at stake.