- Four teams with nine riders confirmed for 2026
- Twelve races over six MotoGP weekends
- Dunlop to supply standard tires and manage the contingency program
The inaugural Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup will be held in 2026 as a new international racing series on selected MotoGP weekends in North America and Europe. In collaboration with MotoGP, Harley-Davidson aims to establish a standalone global championship for high-performance bagger racing machines.
Provisional starting field continues to grow
Further participants have been confirmed for the debut season. New to the field is NitiRacing from Indonesia, the first team from that country to compete in the Bagger World Cup. The team joins the already announced teams Saddlemen Race Development from the USA, Cecchini Racing Garage from Italy, and Joe Rascal Racing from Australia.
The entry of NitiRacing further enhances the international profile of the series. According to the team, it brings national racing experience and a long-term focus on international competition. The goal is to permanently position Indonesia in global motorcycle racing.
In addition, Joe Rascal Racing has been granted permission to compete with three riders instead of two. This means that the provisional starting list currently comprises four teams and nine riders. Further discussions with interested teams are ongoing, and a final rider lineup is to be announced in the coming weeks.
Weekend format for 2026 confirmed
Together with MotoGP, the race format for the 2026 season has also been confirmed. At five of the six venues, the Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup will follow a classic three-day schedule.
Two free practice sessions are scheduled for Friday. Qualifying sessions will take place on Saturday, followed by Race 1 in the afternoon immediately after the MotoGP Tissot Sprint. Race 2 will be held on Sunday, either in the morning or afternoon, depending on the event.
The Italian Grand Prix in Mugello is an exception. There, in addition to two free practice sessions, qualifying will also take place on Friday. Both races will be held on Saturday.
Race calendar with six double events
The Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup comprises a total of twelve races spread over six race weekends as part of MotoGP. The races will be held at some of the world’s most famous racetracks.
The 2026 calendar includes the season opener at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, the Italian Grand Prix in Mugello, Assen in the Netherlands, Silverstone in Great Britain, MotorLand Aragón in Spain, and the finale at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.
Technical basis of the racing machines
The Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup is raced on standard racing motorcycles based on the Grand American Touring platform. Visually, the machines are based on the Harley-Davidson Road Glide.
A race-ready modified Milwaukee Eight 131R V Twin is used. According to specifications, the power output is over 200 hp. The package is complemented by specially developed chassis, brake, and electronic components, as well as extensive weight and aerodynamic measures. The operating weight of the motorcycles is around 280 kg, which corresponds to approximately 617 lbs. The top speed is said to be over 300 km/h.
Dunlop becomes official tire supplier
A key technical partner has also been confirmed for the inaugural season. Dunlop will be the exclusive tire supplier for the 2026 Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup. The manufacturer will not only supply all tires, but will also be responsible for all tire services at the track.
Specially developed racing tires for high-performance bagger motorcycles will be used in the dimensions 120/75 R17 at the front and 200/65 R17 at the rear. The tires are based on Dunlop’s experience in international bagger racing and are designed to meet the special requirements of these heavy and powerful machines.
Dunlop also supports the series’ contingency program. Cash prizes and performance bonuses totaling US$250,000 are available for riders and teams. Riders finishing in first to tenth place in a race receive staggered bonuses. The season champion also receives an additional bonus of US$25,000.
Ticket packages available for fans
Parallel to the announcement of the format, sales of special ticket packages for all six events also began. These include access to a Harley-Davidson grandstand, special motorcycle parking, helmet and jacket storage (subject to availability), and an exclusive fan package.
In addition, ticket holders will have access to the paddock, the Harley pits, MotoGP, and the Harley-Davidson Fan Zone. Prices and availability are offered directly through the respective Grand Prix organizers. The number of packages is limited.
Outlook for the inaugural season
With a growing starting field, a fixed race format, and an experienced tire partner, the key cornerstones for the first season have been set. Further details on the rider lineup and the final team list are to follow in the coming weeks.
What does this mean for me as a motorsport fan?
For motorsport fans, the Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup means above all an additional race format to the already high-class MotoGP weekends. In addition to the familiar classes, there will be a series that differs significantly from the rest of the starting field in terms of technology and appearance. Heavy, extremely powerful bagger motorcycles will provide a different riding style, different racing lines, and new dynamics on familiar tracks. The compact weekend format with two races per event means more racing action without long waiting times. Ticket packages with access to the paddock and pits also offer insights that would otherwise only be possible to a limited extent. The bottom line is that the Bagger World Cup adds an additional, independent facet to the race weekend without displacing existing series.
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