World’s first racing series for Harley-Davidson baggers
The Bagger World Cup is the first racing series exclusively for powerful Harley-Davidson baggers. The bikes are based on the Grand American Touring platform and are designed for use on the racetrack. According to the manufacturer, the motorcycles weigh around 280 kg (approx. 617 lbs), deliver over 200 hp (147 kW) and are capable of speeds in excess of 300 km/h. That’s equivalent to around 186 mph. The starting field is therefore very different from the usual machines on the MotoGP calendar.
Official logo and first prototype unveiled
The new championship logo was presented at EICMA. It is based on Harley-Davidson’s well-known Bar & Shield logo and combines traditional brand values with a modern motorsport design. The logo also adorns the racing version of the Road Glide, which was unveiled for the first time and developed by H-D Factory Racing for the Bagger World Cup, featuring its own unique paintwork.
Teams for the 2026 season confirmed
Three teams have been officially named for the first season: Saddlemen Racing (USA), Joe Rascal Racing (Australia), and Cecchini Racing (Italy). Each team brings different experiences and backgrounds to the new series:
Saddlemen Racing is one of the established V-Twin performance teams in the USA. Led by David Echert, the team competed in MotoAmerica King of the Baggers and won the Mission Super Hooligan National Championships in 2024. The team is said to have extensive expertise, particularly in the areas of technology and driver development.
Joe Rascal Racing represents Australia and aims to demonstrate the connection between premium performance and international motorsports. The team originated from the motorcycle trade and is committed to expanding the bagger scene in the Asia-Pacific region.
Cecchini Racing stands for Italian motorsports tradition. Led by Fabrizio Cecchini, the team has been involved in top-level European motorsports for over 30 years, supporting various riders and teams. According to reports, Cecchini Racing brings technical precision and sporting discipline to the new championship.
Voices from the organization
Kolja Rebstock, Senior Vice President of International Markets at Harley-Davidson, said at the press conference:
“We are very pleased to welcome the first teams that have secured their place in season one of the Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup. Since the series was first announced, we have received a great deal of interest from a number of established and renowned organizations. We designed the series for six to eight teams with a total of twelve to 16 riders, and with these first three contracts, we have already filled almost half of our starting slots. This is a strong signal that underscores the momentum and enthusiasm surrounding the project. We are working hard to get this championship off the ground and can’t wait to hit the racetracks in 2026. It will be loud, exciting, and unlike anything fans have seen before.”
Planned calendar for the 2026 season
The Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup will be held at six selected MotoGP races in 2026. Two races are planned for each race weekend, bringing the total number of races for the season to twelve. The dates are:
- MotoGP of the USA: Circuit of The Americas, Austin (Texas), USA, March 27–29
- MotoGP of Italy: Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello, Mugello, Italy, May 29–31
- MotoGP of the Netherlands: TT Circuit Assen, Assen, Netherlands, June 26–28
- MotoGP of the United Kingdom: Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, Great Britain, August 7–9
- MotoGP of Aragon: Circuito MotorLand Aragón, Alcañiz, Spain, August 28–30
- MotoGP of Austria: Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria, September 18–20 (final)
Outlook
With the Bagger World Cup, Harley-Davidson is creating a new motorsports platform that focuses on the performance and characteristics of large-volume V2 engines. The series is intended to be significantly different from existing motorcycle racing events and is aimed at teams and manufacturers from different continents.
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