The inaugural FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup roared to life at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas last weekend, as the championship held its first ever official test ahead of its debut race during the MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas. Press: Harley Aus.

Held from March 21–22, the two-day test marked a significant milestone for the new international series, which will feature Harley-Davidson Road Glide race machines powered by the brand’s thunderous Milwaukee-Eight V-Twin engines. Nine riders took part in the historic test, completing a combined 578 timed laps around the demanding COTA circuit as teams began learning the unique characteristics of the big American baggers in full race trim.

We had awesome fun on the Harley-Davidson MotoGP simulator at the Harley-Davidson Australia 2026 model launch recently.

The event began with a bike lottery ceremony, where each rider was allocated the race machine they will campaign throughout the championship. Once on track, riders quickly got to grips with the large but surprisingly capable machines, delivering competitive lap times and plenty of spectacle as the distinctive sound of V-Twin power echoed around the Texas venue.

Harley-Davidson Australia practice and development machine at SMSP in March.

Brazilian star Eric Granado (Joe Rascal Racing) set the pace across the two days, recording the fastest lap of the test with a 2:13.413, placing him comfortably at the top of the combined timesheets.

Granado finished just over half a second ahead of teammate Archie McDonald, who posted a best time of 2:14.010, giving Joe Rascal Racing an early one-two result. Oscar Gutierrez (Niti Racing) completed the top three with a 2:14.235, less than a second off the benchmark pace.

Archie testing at Sydney Motorsports Park on a local Harley-Davidson practice bike on March 6, 2026. Pic: SDPics.

Further down the order, Dimas Ekky Pratama (Niti Racing) finished fourth with a 2:15.626, while American riders filled several positions in the top ten. Travis Wyman (Saddlemen Race Development) secured fifth with a 2:16.126 ahead of teammate Cory West in sixth. Jake Lewis completed the Saddlemen trio in seventh.

Rounding out the nine-rider field, Cody Wyman (Joe Rascal Racing) in eighth and Filippo Rovelli (Parkingo Team) in ninth.

The test weekend also included a race simulation session, allowing teams and riders to rehearse the unique race start procedure that will define the championship. In a bid to bring fans closer to the action, team garages will be positioned directly inside the MotoGP fan zone throughout race weekends.

Harley-Davidson’s Director of Global Racing Programs, Jeffrey Schuessler, said the test provided encouraging signs for the new championship.

“This first test represented an important milestone for the championship and for everyone involved in the series,” Schuessler said. “Across the weekend the riders completed 578 timed laps, which gave us very positive feedback in terms of reliability and overall performance.”

Fastest rider Granado also praised the experience of riding the unique machines.“The bike behaves very well and you can really push it to the limit,” he said. “The torque is very impressive and the sound of the engine is incredible – honestly one of the best I have ever heard.”

Attention now turns to the opening round of the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup, which will take place this weekend at the Circuit of the Americas alongside MotoGP. Practice and qualifying are scheduled for Friday, followed by Race 1 on Saturday and Race 2 on Sunday, marking the official beginning of a new era for heavyweight V-Twin racing.

 

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