Harley-Davidson Take On MotoGP With The Bagger World Cup

Climbing aboard the Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited, we fired up the engine and set off for Silverstone. Our destination was the UK round of MotoGP, where we were joining the Harley-Davidson team for the Bagger World Cup—alongside a passionate crowd of owners who’d snapped up official hospitality packages (more on that later).

With music blasting through the Road Glide’s stereo, we rolled into the circuit and navigated straight to the infield Harley Village. Settling into the dedicated, secure owner parking, it didn't take long before we were making new friends.

The FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup made its debut as a dedicated global support series for select MotoGP weekends, bringing heavy-metal American V-twin performance to world-class Grand Prix venues. Highly sophisticated prototype MotoGP machines and heavy-metal Harley-Davidsons sound like quite the dichotomy, but the Harleys provided close, edge-of-your-seat, nail-biting racing that was more than a match for the GP grid.

Series Overview & The Bikes

Spanning six iconic rounds across North America and Europe—COTA, Mugello, Assen, Silverstone, MotorLand Aragón, and the Red Bull Ring finale—the weekend format features two full-length sprint races alongside main Grand Prix sessions.

The machines are purpose-built racers built on Harley-Davidson’s Grand American Touring platform—specifically the Road Glide, hence our choice of transport for the trip. Powered by a race-tuned Milwaukee-Eight 131R V-Twin producing over 200 hp, these are full race-spec weapons. Stripped for heavy weight reduction, they feature specialised track suspension, upgraded race brakes, high-lean-angle pegs/exhausts, and aggressive front fairings capable of pushing top speeds close to 186 mph.

Dunlop was the only manufacturer able to provide a tyre capable of coping with the extremes of 360+ kg, 200+ bhp, and zero traction control. The result is plenty of sliding. Fast, dramatic, and a complete handful to ride, the bikes buck and slide out of corners. The one-make nature of the series keeps the machinery equal, leaving everything down to setup and rider skill. It’s a fantastic spectacle.

The Teams & Key Riders

The grid features four main international outfits boasting an impressive mix of road racers, MotoE champions, and ex-MotoGP stars:

• Joe Rascal Racing (Australia): Archie McDonald (AUS), Eric Granado (BRA), and Jordi Torres (SPA).
• Niti Racing (Indonesia): Andrea "The Maniac" Iannone (ITA) and Oscar Gutierrez (SPA).
• ParkinGO Team (Italy): Filippo Rovelli (ITA) and wildcard Bradley Smith (UK).
• Saddlemen Racing (USA): Jake Lewis (USA) and Max Toth (USA).

We were fortunate to spend one-on-one time with Archie McDonald and Eric Granado from Joe Rascal Racing, alongside homegrown hero Bradley Smith. Smith was racing as a wildcard for ParkinGO while also competing in the US King of the Baggers series—a similar concept where Harley-Davidson battles head-to-head with Indian Motorcycles.

Archie McDonald, nicknamed "Mad Dog," is a 20-year-old Australian from Albury, New South Wales. After winning five national dirt track titles and competing in ASBK Supersport and European Stock 600, he relocated to Mallorca to pursue his career full-time. Stepping up to a massive 2,100cc V-twin, McDonald has been a breakout star. Beyond setting the bagger lap record at Silverstone, he uses his platform to champion mental health initiatives in memory of his late brother. Archie is bright, hard-working, and lightning-fast.

Eric Granado, a 30-year-old Brazilian from São Paulo, brings extensive pedigree from Moto2, World Superbikes, and MotoE, where he stands as one of the most successful riders in the electric class's history. His adaptability and technical feedback make him a potent teammate.

Rounding out the group, Oxfordshire’s Bradley Smith boasts a stellar career across 125cc, Moto2, MotoGP, and MotoE, holding podiums across four distinct GP eras. Utilising his deep circuit knowledge, Smith put on a masterclass to secure a debut victory in Race 1.

Silverstone Results (Round 4)

The weekend delivered high drama across both encounters:

• Race 1: Despite a crash in qualifying, wildcard Bradley Smith took a fairytale debut victory for ParkinGO Team ahead of Joe Rascal Racing’s Archie McDonald (P2) and Eric Granado (P3).
• Race 2: Pole-sitter Archie McDonald dominated the second encounter, claiming victory ahead of teammate Eric Granado and Jordi Torres while smashing the bagger lap record with a 2:08.832.

The Harley-Davidson Owner Experience

Joining Harley-Davidson in VIP hospitality showcased how the brand looks after its community. For owners attending Bagger World Cup rounds, the setup includes:

• VIP Hospitality & Lounge Areas: Premium trackside viewing suites and marquees featuring climate-controlled indoor spaces, open bars, and gourmet dining.
• Dedicated Bike Parking & Cloakroom: Exclusive, secure motorcycle parking with complimentary helmet and jacket storage.
• Exclusive Grandstand Seating & Paddock Access: Dedicated fan blocks at key track vantage points, alongside guided pit lane and garage walk-throughs.
• Rider Meet-and-Greets & Parade Laps: Q&A sessions with factory riders, official event merchandise packs, and the opportunity to take personal bikes out for track parade laps.

It was a very special experience, curated by a motorcycle manufacturer that understands how to build and nurture a community better than almost any other brand on Earth.