Honda HRC’s Takumi Takahashi and MotoGP star Johann Zarco pulled off a remarkable victory at the 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours, securing their third consecutive Suzuka win — and Honda’s 31st overall — with only two riders instead of the usual three. Press: EWCTwo Riders, One Extraordinary Feat:
Their heroics have tightened the FIM Endurance World Championship chase to just one point. With Xavi Vierge unable to race due to procedural reasons, Takahashi and Zarco tackled the grueling Suzuka 8 Hours as a duo, each taking more stints than their rivals in scorching conditions exceeding 36°C. Their combined stamina and seamless strategy paid off — managing stints flawlessly and maintaining pace through periods of aggressive hot laps and safety car resets.

Takahashi extended his own record with a seventh Suzuka win, while Zarco matched his second straight Suzuka triumph. “Winning this race is more legendary than pole or a lap record,” Zarco remarked, underlining their achievement under near-superhuman effort.Pole, Lap Record and Race Control:
The weekend began with Zarco delivering a stunning 2m04.290 lap in the Top 10 Trial — smashing the Suzuka lap record and securing pole position for the #30 Honda CBR1000RR-R SP. Takahashi had earlier placed strong qualifying laps, setting the tone for another dominant performance by the Japanese factory team.Championship Hangs by a Single Point:
Finishing just 34.243 seconds ahead of Yamaha Racing Team’s Andrea Locatelli, Jack Miller and Katsuyuki Nakasuga, Honda HRC further strengthened their title bid. Yoshimura SERT Motul, powered by Suzuki, completed the podium after Dan Linfoot rebounded from a fall in a dramatic battle with HARC‑PRO’s Yuki Kunii.

In the championship standings, BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team now trail Yamalube YART Yamaha by one point heading into the finale at Bol d’Or — a closer battle than expected after YART suffered a rare mechanical retirement.

Meanwhile, Team Étoile secured its first-ever Superstock pole at their home round, drawing level in the standings with National Motos Honda FMA.

Full results and standings are here…

Race Duration: 8 hours at Suzuka Circuit, August 3, 2025

Heat Index: Above 36°C — massively increased rider fatigue

Team Format: Honda HRC ran Takahashi and Zarco as a two-man crew

Championship Implication: BMW trails Yamaha by 1 point heading to Bol d’Or

Stay tuned to BikeReview.com.au for full rider quotes, technical analysis, gallery and Bol d’Or build-up coverage.

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