AUSTIN, Texas (March 29, 2026) — The opening spherical of the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup delivered intense on-track battles and dramatic moments on the Circuit of the Americas, as the brand new world championship in partnership with MotoGP™ formally got here to life alongside the MotoGP™ Grand Prix of the Americas.
Each the races of the weekend had been fought till the ultimate laps, producing the primary two winners within the historical past of the class. Archie McDonald (Joe Rascal Racing) claimed victory in Race 1 on Saturday, whereas Oscar Gutiérrez (Niti Racing) secured the win in Race 2 on Sunday.
Race 1
At first of the primary race in championship historical past, younger Australian Archie McDonald launched completely from the grid, getting the higher of teammate Eric Granado, who had secured pole place in qualifying with a lap time of 2:12.387.
The battle between the 2 intensified at mid-race, with Granado taking the lead after a mistake from McDonald. Nevertheless, the Australian responded shortly after, reclaiming the place when Granado misplaced the entrance below braking and dropped again via the sphere.
Jake Lewis (Saddlemen Race Growth) delivered a powerful and constant journey to take second place, showcasing expertise and management throughout the race distance, whereas Filippo Rovelli (ParkinGO Crew) secured third with a composed and disciplined efficiency to spherical out the rostrum.
Race 2
McDonald and Granado had been as soon as once more protagonists initially of Race 2, with the Australian repeating his robust launch off the road. The 2 Joe Rascal Racing riders instantly set a quick tempo, however had been unable to interrupt away from Oscar Gutiérrez (Niti Racing), who steadily elevated his rhythm lap after lap. The Spanish rider closed the hole and executed two clear overtakes to take the lead, happening to safe victory on the checkered flag.
On lap 5, Gutiérrez additionally set a brand new benchmark for the class on the Austin circuit with a time of 2:12.348, establishing each the race lap file and the all-time lap file for the Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup at Circuit of the Americas.
Second on the end line was Archie McDonald, however a three-second penalty for failing to finish the prescribed Lengthy Lap after twice exceeding observe limits dropped the Australian to 3rd within the remaining classification, selling Eric Granadoto second.
Jeffrey Schuessler – Director of International Racing Applications, Harley-Davidson
“This weekend delivered precisely what we got down to construct. Shut racing, battles determined within the remaining laps, and riders pushing these machines to the restrict from the very begin. The extent of competitors confirmed up instantly, and that’s a powerful indication of the place this championship is headed.
We additionally noticed completely different using kinds coming collectively on observe, with riders discovering their very own technique to be quick on these bikes. That created some actually attention-grabbing race dynamics and confirmed how aggressive and adaptable this grid already is from the primary spherical.
What’s been particularly highly effective is the worldwide nature of the championship, with riders and groups from completely different elements of the world coming collectively to be a part of one thing new. That’s a major step ahead for the collection.
After which there’s the emotion. You are feeling it within the sound, the torque, and the presence of those bikes on observe. It’s uncooked, it’s completely different, and it’s actual. This isn’t simply racing. We’re constructing one thing new right here, a worldwide platform that brings a unique type of power to the MotoGP stage and connects with followers in a means that’s genuine to Harley-Davidson.”
Archie McDonald – Joe Rascal Racing
Race 1 Winner
“Historical past. That’s the primary phrase that involves my thoughts. It was the primary race within the historical past of the Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup, and I took the primary win, hopefully the primary of many. I’m actually completely happy. There was a whole lot of preparation behind this venture, from myself, the group and Harley-Davidson, so this outcome feels wonderful. I had a powerful begin, even when main early wasn’t perfect. Granado handed me after a mistake, I stayed with him, after which he made a mistake and I took the lead once more. My plan was to attend till the ultimate laps to make a transfer, however in the long run I didn’t must. I’m sorry about Eric’s crash, because it’s not the best way I needed to win, however I’m nonetheless having fun with the second. I’m actually happy with my group and Harley-Davidson for making historical past with me, and I thank all of them.”
Oscar Gutiérrez – Niti Racing
Race 2 Winner
“I’m very proud of this win. We did an ideal job regaining our focus after Race 1, and this was one of the best ways to complete the Austin weekend. Already this morning I felt we had the potential to do it. I had an ideal feeling with the bike from the sighting lap and advised my group that right now was the appropriate day. Through the race I took my time to check Archie and Eric in entrance of me and perceive the place I might assault them. Then there was a second once I clearly felt stronger, so I made a decision to extend the tempo and make my strikes. It’s an ideal victory, however we have to hold working properly as a result of the championship could look quick, however it’s nonetheless lengthy with many races to go. We’re already waiting for Mugello and persevering with on this path. One space the place I nonetheless want to enhance is the beginning. Originally of the race I needed to push to get better as a result of McDonald and Granado began very robust. However I knew that if I stayed calm I might come again, and that’s what I did. I stayed affected person for a few laps, then once I felt I had extra tempo I made the overtakes and in the long run took a win that makes me very completely happy.”
Following the opening spherical, Archie McDonald leads the championship standings with 41 factors, forward of Oscar Gutiérrez and Jake Lewis, each on 33 factors.
Championship Standings:
Archie McDonald (AUS) – 41 (25 / 16)
Oscar Gutiérrez (SPA) – 33 (8 / 25)
Jake Lewis (USA) – 33 (20 / 13)
Eric Granado (BRA) – 30 (10 / 20)
Filippo Rovelli (ITA) – 27 (16 / 11)
Cory West (USA) – 23 (13 / 10)
Travis Wyman (USA) – 11 (11 / -)
Cody Wyman (USA) – 9 (9 / -)
Dimas Ekky Pratama (INA) – 9 (- / 9)
The following spherical of the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup will happen on the Mugello Worldwide Circuitin the course of the MotoGP™ Grand Prix of Italy, from Could 29–31.
Michael Le Pard (“Mr. Totalmotorcycle”) is the Founding father of Whole Bike, the world’s largest bike data website, trusted by over 430 million riders since 1999. With over 34 years of expertise in bikes, gear and rider tradition, he has constructed a worldwide neighborhood devoted to empowering and provoking motorcyclists.
Whole Bike stays his ardour venture. Combining skilled analysis, palms‑on information and a dedication to serving to riders make knowledgeable selections about bikes, gear and security worldwide.
