Takaaki Nakagami
(Competing in the MotoGP class for LCR Honda IDEMITSU)
“I’m excited as a rider, and as a part of the Honda family, that Honda returns to the Suzuka 8 hours as a factory team for the first time in a decade. We have a winning team, and the bike has the potential, but more than that, the team has the desire to win. Everyone at Honda wants Honda to take back the Suzuka 8 hours title. We unfortunately finished 4th last year, but now as a factory team, I with the other two riders will work together to win.”

Leon Camier
(Competing in WSB for Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team)
 “I’m looking forward to competing in the Suzuka 8 hours with Honda’s factory team. We’ve done testing for the Suzuka 8 hours and are completely prepared. Takumi [Takahashi] has won the Suzuka 8 hours three times, and Nakagami is a competitive MotoGP rider. Our combined effort is needed to win, so I firmly believe we can do it.”

Freddy Foray
(Competing in EWC for F.C.C. TSR Honda France)
 “It’s my first time to compete in the Suzuka 8 hours with a Japanese team, and I’m looking forward to it. We have more tests coming up, and we’ll be thoroughly preparing the bike for the race. We’re very confident, but you never know what is going to happen in the race, so we have to be alert. We have a 10 points lead in the EWC championship, but the best way to perform well at the Suzuka 8 hours is to believe in ourselves, and concentrate on racing.”

Josh Hook
(Competing in EWC for F.C.C. TSR Honda France)
 “I am so looking forward to the Suzuka 8 hours. It’s vital to make it as easy as possible for the three riders to race well, and reduce mistakes. I believe the bike will perform well at Suzuka, and the whole team will need to focus completely on the race. The bike, the team, and the riders will be united in racing at Suzuka. Being their home track, Honda and Thomas Suzuki-Rowe have had a lot of success at Suzuka, so I’m confident we can win the championship.”

Alan Techer
(Competing in EWC for F.C.C. TSR Honda France)
 “The Suzuka 8 hours is a very important race. We couldn’t race last year because of a crash, but this year will be different. I’m glad to race with F.C.C. TSR Honda France. We have to concentrate on improving the bike a bit, but I’m confident at Suzuka, and it’s our home track so we have a large advantage. I believe in my teammates, of course, and we have a great rapport. I just can’t wait for the race! And after the race, I’m looking forward to hold the winner’s trophy!”

Yuki Takahashi
(Competing in JRR JSB1000 class for MORIWAKI MOTUL RACING)
 “Last year MORIWAKI RACING returned to Suzuka for the first time in 9 years, and it was the debut year for the CBR1000RR SP2, so we didn’t do as well as we wanted to. This year we have a more mature bike, and I’m joined by Ryuichi Kiyonari and Dan Linfoot once again, so we’ll do our best as part of the Honda family to ride our CBR1000RR SP2 to victory.”

Ryuichi Kiyonari
(Competing in JRR JSB1000 class for MORIWAKI MOTUL RACING)
 “Our goal is the same as last year: to win. But first, we aim to do better than last year. So, the whole team including the mechanics are focused on our goal from the testing stage. Yuki Takahashi is also perfectly in tune with the bike, and I have complete trust in him. Dan Linfoot is also a versatile rider, and we’ll be earning each other’s trust beginning with the tests. The whole team will be giving its best effort, so I look forward to everyone’s support.”

Dan Linfoot
(Competing in the British Superbike Championship for Honda Racing)
 “I’m thrilled to be racing in the Suzuka 8 hours for MORIWAKI RACING once again. Last year I was the backup rider and was not part of the action, but this year, I have been involved from the testing, and my lap times are improving and I’m looking forward to further tests and the race. I’m sure I can bring MORIWAKI RACING good results as long as I can support Yuki Takahashi and Ryuichi Kiyonari in the race.”

Ryo Mizuno
(Competing in JRR JSB1000 class for MuSASHi RT HARC-PRO. Honda)
 “Last year I race in the Suzuka 8 hours for the first time. I’m looking forward to race this year for #634 HARC-PRO. I moved to the JSB1000 class this year, so I’ll be racing on a bike I’m accustomed to, with the same team, but I also feel the weight of responsibility. Our goal is to win, but I’m still learning with each race, so we’ll first aim as a team for the podium. I look forward to your support.”

Dominique Aegerter
(Competing in MotoGP Moto2 class for Kiefer Racing)
 “For the past three years I have race in the Suzuka 8 hours for Thomas Suzuki-Rowe Honda, and we’ve been 2nd and 3rd on the podium. This year I’m looking forward to joining HARC-PRO. this year, who have won the Suzuka 8 hours three times. Honda’s factory team is back, and our competition is also well prepared, so we’re in for a tough race, but we’re aiming for the top of the podium.”

Patrick 'PJ' Jacobsen
(Competing in WSB for TripleM Honda World Superbike Team)
 “I’m thrilled to be able to race for HARC-PRO., who have such an impressive track record at the Suzuka 8 hours. I first competed in the Suzuka 8 hours in 2016, but my results were not good. My partner at the time, Dominique [Aegerter] has been on the podium in the Suzuka 8 hours, so that’s encouraging. And with Ryo Mizuno, we’re undoubtedly headed for good results as long as we build on each other’s strengths.”