Jack Miller Targets Suzuka 8 Hours Victory in 2026

Jack Miller will return to the Suzuka 8 Hours with the factory Yamaha team in 2026, aiming to improve on last season’s runner-up result. The Pramac Yamaha rider will be the only current MotoGP competitor in the Japanese endurance race this weekend following Johann Zarco’s injury.

Miller will share the motorcycle with Katsuyuki Nakasuga and Andrea Locatelli. The trio will attempt to move one position higher after finishing second in 2025 behind the factory Honda entry featuring Johann Zarco and Takumi Takahashi.

“It’s important, it’s a race I really enjoy. It’s one of those historic races,” Miller said.

Baca JugaJack Miller Bidik Kemenangan Suzuka 8 Hours 2026

This year’s appearance creates a greater physical challenge than last season. The Suzuka 8 Hours no longer falls during MotoGP’s summer break and is instead positioned between the Dutch and German Grands Prix. With Brno taking place one week before Assen, Miller faces four consecutive race weekends.

The Australian nevertheless believes the opportunity to represent Yamaha’s official team justifies the additional workload. He is also pleased to continue the tradition of grand prix riders competing in one of the most important endurance races on the international calendar.

Adapting from a MotoGP prototype to a Bridgestone-equipped Superbike is not considered a major difficulty. Miller said most riders regularly train on Superbikes or 600cc machinery, which already feature different technology and tyres from their MotoGP bikes.

“I think 90 percent of us train on a Superbike or 600 or whatever, which also isn’t using the same technology or tyres as a MotoGP bike,” Miller said.

The main challenge is the set-up compromise required when three riders share one motorcycle. Unlike in MotoGP, the configuration cannot be developed entirely around one competitor, meaning Miller must adapt to a package that also suits Nakasuga and Locatelli.

“You’re riding somebody else’s bike. At the end of the day, you’re not trying to adjust anything specifically for you. You just have to get on the bike and ride,” he explained.

Zarco’s absence has resulted in former MotoGP rider Somkiat Chantra joining the factory Honda Racing Corporation squad alongside Takahashi and Jonathan Rea. The revised line-up will still provide a major challenge to Yamaha in the fight for victory.

Qualifying 1 and Qualifying 2 will take place on Friday, followed by Saturday’s pole-deciding Top 10 Trial. The eight-hour race will run from 11:30 to 19:30 local time on Sunday before Miller returns to Europe for the German Grand Prix at Sachsenring on July 10-12.