Archie McDonald goes P2 at COTA Bagger World Cup test

Aussie young gun impresses on debut with second-fastest time ahead of MotoGP-support series opener

Australian rider Archie McDonald has made an immediate statement in the brand-new FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup, clocking the second-fastest time in the championship’s first official test at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas.

Running from Friday to Sunday ahead of the series’ inaugural race weekend – set to take place alongside the MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas – the test marked the first time the nine confirmed riders sampled the Milwaukee-Eight V-Twin powered Harley-Davidson Road Glide race machines in anger.

The weekend began with a “bike lottery” ceremony, where each rider was allocated the specific Road Glide they’ll use for the remainder of the season. From there, two days of track running followed as teams began dialling in the heavy-hitting baggers for competition.

Brazil’s Eric Granado (Joe Rascal Team) topped the timesheets with a best lap of 2:13.413, finishing around half a second clear of teammate McDonald in P2. Oscar Gutierrez (Niti Racing) rounded out the top three. The times were fast, with Granado’s leading pace only half a second off Hayden Gillim’s 2:12.975 pole time set in last year’s COTA King of the Baggers qualifying.

Sunday’s program also featured a shortened race simulation, giving riders and crews a rehearsal of the series’ unique start procedure. The championship is also aiming to bring fans closer to the action, with garages positioned inside the fan zone to place spectators directly in the racing environment.

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.

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.”

Arche Macdonald – Joe Rascal Racing
“I can confirm there is something in the bags! 2 days of offical Bagger World Cup testing complete with plenty of laps and a little spill finding the limit but a positive set up on the bike we are ready to race with! Troy Herfoss I’m coming for you lap record! (+0.9) Big ups to the team Joe Rascal Racing work ethic and dedication for the months leading up to the start of this season, I have a great support behind me and cannot wait to kick off the season this weekend 27th-28th-29th!”

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.”

COTA BAGGER WORLD CUP TEST TIMES