Xavi Vierge Replaces Injured Iker Lecuona at 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours

Following an injury at WorldSBK Balaton, Vierge joins Takumi Takahashi and Johann Zarco for Honda’s factory assault on the iconic endurance race.

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Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) has officially confirmed that Xavi Vierge will step in to replace Iker Lecuona for the upcoming 46th edition of the “Coca-Cola” Suzuka 8 Hours, scheduled to take place on 3 August 2025, as part of the FIM Endurance World Championship.

The decision comes after Lecuona sustained fractures to his left distal forearm during Race 1 of Round 8 of the WorldSBK Championship at Balaton, Hungary, last Saturday. Following medical evaluation, Lecuona was declared unfit to continue racing over the weekend, prompting Honda to revise its Suzuka lineup.

Vierge will now join Takumi Takahashi and Johann Zarco as part of the factory Honda HRC squad. No stranger to endurance success, Vierge was a key member of HRC’s victorious Suzuka 8 Hours lineup in 2023, alongside Takahashi and Tetsuta Nagashima.

The revised trio is set to mount a serious challenge at this year’s Suzuka 8 Hours, one of the most prestigious and demanding endurance races in the world, held annually at Japan’s legendary Suzuka Circuit.

HRC also extended its full support and well wishes to Lecuona. With Vierge’s proven pace and previous Suzuka experience, Honda HRC remains a top contender heading into this year’s race.