Ducati has confirmed its intention to participate in the Suzuka 8 Hours in the near future with MotoGP riders riding its machines.
Former MotoGP sporting director Paolo Ciabatti was in attendance for the most recent edition and disclosed his interest in fielding a factory Italian bike in the near distant future
Ciabatti’s current role within Ducati sees him as the lead figure for off-road and regional superbike activities. Reports state that an entry for Suzuka in the FIM Endurance World Championship could be as early as 2025.
In the 2024 event, the Kagayama squad entered with a Ducati Panigale V4 R with riders Ryo Mizuno, Joshua Waters and Hafizh Syahrin.
The team received support from technical Ducati engineers but the Bologna brand intends to field a factory team of its own.
Ciabatti shared with Motorsport Japan that Ducati is looking to increase its involvement in the great endurance event with a full factory effort.
“We are working with Yukio [Kagayama]’s team to gain experience in the 8 Hours and to build a relationship with Bridgestone again,” he said.
“Their support is very important for the 8 Hours. Our future plan is to bring in factory bikes and MotoGP riders from Bologna to compete with Yukio’s team.
“The logistics from Italy are difficult, so even if we have the same team as now, we will take advantage of the logistics that Yukio and his team have and make it even bigger.”
Since its inception in 1978, no manufacturer outside Japan has won the Suzuka 8 Hours, with Ducati aiming to become the first.
“The Suzuka 8 Hours is a special race,” Ciabatti added.
“It’s part of the EWC, but the race itself stands out. In the past, Valentino Rossi and other top MotoGP riders have come to Suzuka, dreaming of winning.
“In recent years, that trend may have faded a little, but the Suzuka 8 Hours is still a special race for motorcycle manufacturers.
“No manufacturer outside of Japan has ever won here. So it’s our dream to achieve that one day. Hopefully, in the near future, we’d like to be the first manufacturer outside of Japan to win at Suzuka.”
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