Xavi Vierge will not participate in the Suzuka 8 Hours as Honda HRC confirm a two-rider line-up for this weekend's event.

Days before the 46th edition of the FIM Endurance World Championship “Coca-Cola” Suzuka 8 Hours Road Race, Honda HRC have changed their line-up.

The Japanese manufacturer has decided to run a two-rider team, with two-time Suzuka 8 Hour winner, Takumi Takahashi, and two-time MotoGP race winner, Johann Zarco.

This decision has seen Xavi Vierge dropped from the team two days after he was announced as a last-minute injury replacement.

In recent months, the factory HRC team have seen multiple changes. Initially, MotoGP rider Luca Marini was set to take on the iconic event, but he sustained injuries while testing at the Japanese circuit.

This led to Team HRC World Superbike rider, Iker Lecuona, being called up to the Suzuka 8 Hour squad. However, the Spaniard sustained fractures to his left distal forearm in an incident at the Hungarian World Superbike Round last weekend.

Lecuona's replacement was set to be his World Superbike teammate, Xavi Vierge. However, the decision has now been made to run a two-rider team as Vierge will not participate due to 'procedural reasons'.