Bagger World Cup Roars To Life with Historic First Test a Circuit of the Americas

AUSTIN TX – March 24, 2026 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – This weekend, from Friday through Sunday, the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup completed the first test in the history of the championship at the Circuit of the Americas, just days ahead of its inaugural race weekend at the same venue during the MotoGP™ Grand Prix of the Americas.

The series officially kicked off with the bike lottery ceremony, where each rider received the race machine that will accompany them throughout the season. Over the following two intense days of adrenaline-filled track action, all nine confirmed riders experienced for the first time the unmistakable sound and character of the Milwaukee-Eight V-Twin powered Road Glide race machines. Eric Granado (Joe Rascal Team) set the fastest lap of the test with a best time of 2’13.413, finishing half a second ahead of his teammate Archie McDonald, with Oscar Gutierrez (Niti Racing) completing the top three.

Sunday’s schedule also included a shortened race simulation, allowing teams and riders to rehearse the distinctive start procedure that will define race weekends, with garages located inside the fan zone to bring spectators directly into the racing environment. 

Jeffrey Schuessler, Director of Global Racing Programs at Harley-Davidson:
“This first test represented an important milestone for the championship and for everyone involved in the series. Across the weekend the riders completed 578 timed laps, which gave us very positive feedback in terms of reliability and overall performance. It was also exciting to see the riders experience for the first time the sound, torque and unique performance of these race bikes. We noticed interesting differences in riding styles, with some riders bringing a smooth and technical approach, while others showed a more aggressive point-and-shoot style. It was a valuable moment of comparison and learning, allowing teams and riders to deepen their understanding of the racing bikes, the track and each other ahead of the first races.”

Eric Granado – Joe Rascal Racing
“This test was amazing. We completed a lot of laps and spent a lot of time working on the bike to understand it better. Everything was new for me, a new machine, a new team, and a different way of working, and the bike is very different from what I was used to. The riding position is quite unique and you need some time to adapt, but after a few laps you start to feel comfortable and build confidence. The bike behaves very well and you can really push it to the limit, which I enjoyed a lot. You can clearly feel that it is built as a true race machine. The sound of the engine is incredible, honestly one of the best I have ever heard. For a rider it is very special to feel that kind of character. I also had a very good feeling from the front, which helps you carry a lot of corner speed on entry. The torque is very impressive. Every time you open the throttle, in any gear, you feel strong power that pushes you out of the corners very quickly. You need to adapt your riding style a bit, but once you understand how to use it, you can really push and enjoy it. We are on a good path. We worked through many setup options and now we are getting ready for the first race. It was important to test on the same track where we will race, so we already have some useful references.”

Attention now turns to the opening round of the championship, which will take place next weekend at the Circuit of the Americas, with practice and qualifying on Friday, March 27, followed by Race 1 on Saturday and Race 2 on Sunday.

COTA TEST 21st – 22nd MARCH
Event Best Time Combined Classification

About FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup

The FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup is the first global championship exclusively dedicated to high-performance Harley-Davidson bagger motorcycles, organized by Harley-Davidson in partnership with MotoGP™ and officially recognized by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). The series is contested at selected international circuits alongside the MotoGP™ calendar, bringing Harley-Davidson’s iconic machines into a premier global racing environment. The championship combines heritage, technical innovation, and on-track competition, extending the brand’s racing legacy onto the world stage. Learn more on the dedicated FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup page at www.harley-davidson.com.

About Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Our vision: Building our legend and leading our industry through innovation, evolution and emotion. Our mission: More than building machines, we stand for the timeless pursuit of adventure. Freedom for the soul. Since 1903, Harley-Davidson has defined motorcycle culture with an expanding range of leading-edge, distinctive and customizable motorcycles in addition to riding experiences and exceptional motorcycle accessories, riding gear and apparel. Harley-Davidson Financial Services provides financing, insurance and other programs to help get Harley-Davidson riders on the road. Learn more at www.harley-davidson.com.  

MotoGP™ Background

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Source: Harley-Davidson, Inc.

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