As the excitement surrounding the Superbike Championship builds, race fans are left waiting with bated breath for the announcement of the broadcasting partner, which is widely expected to be Sky. However, that’s not the only suspense gripping the motorsport community as we gear up for a thrilling new season under the stewardship of Dorna/Liberty Media. The highly anticipated Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup, set to debut in 2026 alongside MotoGP rounds, has yet to reveal the full roster of competing teams, leaving enthusiasts yearning for more details.
So far, only three teams have been officially confirmed for this groundbreaking series, but the expectation is that the championship will expand to accommodate between six and eight teams, each fielding two riders. This creates a tantalizing prospect for fans eager to see how this unique racing environment unfolds. The teams announced thus far include Cecchini Racing from Italy, led by the experienced Francesco Cecchini, who brings a wealth of racing and technical expertise to the table. Also on the lineup is Saddlemen Racing from the United States, a team deeply rooted in the bagger racing scene, and Joe Rascal Racing from Australia, adding an international flavor to the competition.
Each team will be racing on specially modified Harley-Davidson Road Glide models, provided and supported by the Harley-Davidson Factory Racing program to ensure a level playing field. These racing versions of the Road Glide promise to deliver exhilarating performance, boasting over 200 horsepower and a mind-blowing torque of 245 Nm. With a weight tipping the scales at approximately 280 kg, these machines are built for speed and agility. Interestingly, the electronic interference is kept to a minimum, with traction controlled solely by the rider’s throttle input. A fixed electronic control unit will offer preset mappings for throttle response and engine braking, tailored to individual riding styles.
In addition to this, riders will have access to a wealth of data on chassis, transmission, brake pressure, and engine performance, allowing for precise tuning to optimize their setups. However, it’s important to note that the frame components are predetermined, leaving teams with limited flexibility in that area.
The Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup is set to accompany six exhilarating weekends of MotoGP action in 2026, with races scheduled at iconic venues including the GP of the Americas in Austin, the Italian GP at Mugello, the TT Assen in the Netherlands, Silverstone in Great Britain, Aragón in Spain, and the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria. Each stop will feature two thrilling races, promising to deliver heart-pounding action and unforgettable moments for fans around the world. As the countdown to 2026 begins, the anticipation continues to build, and the motorsport community eagerly awaits the full lineup of teams ready to battle it out on the track.
