Twelve race spec formula series slated for 2026 will bring American V-twin thunder to select Grand Prix weekends
Harley-Davidson and MotoGP have announced a bold new collaboration set to bring American muscle to the world stage, with the launch of an international racing series featuring Harley-Davidson bagger motorcycles. Slated to debut in 2026, the new championship will run alongside selected MotoGP rounds, introducing heavyweight V-twin action to a broader audience of motorsport fans.
The series will span twelve races across six MotoGP Grands Prix in Europe and North America, with each round comprising two races. The grid is expected to include six to eight teams, each fielding two riders aboard race-prepared Harley-Davidson Road Glide motorcycles. The initiative will be supported by Harley-Davidson Factory Racing, bringing factory-backed performance to a format that aims to blend tradition with innovation.
“This is a bold new step for Harley-Davidson’s global racing ambitions,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO of Harley-Davidson. “We’ve been pioneering performance for over 120 years — both on and off the road. Our recent participation in MotoAmerica’s King of the Baggers series and the introduction of our CVO RR and CVO Road Glide ST models has shown strong engagement with our performance story. This new global series allows us to celebrate that heritage while also pushing into new territory, delivering exciting racing to fans around the world.”
The partnership with MotoGP marks a significant milestone for both brands. Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta expressed optimism about the collaboration’s potential. “This is an exciting opportunity for both parties,” said Ezpeleta. “Harley-Davidson is a globally recognised brand with deep cultural roots in the U.S., and we believe this partnership will bring something genuinely unique to race weekends. By adding this new series, we’re not only tapping into new fan bases but also expanding the global reach of MotoGP with a very different kind of racing spectacle.”
Performance bagger racing has gained popularity in recent years through the MotoAmerica King of the Baggers championship in the U.S., where Harley-Davidson competes against Indian. The new series aims to internationalise that concept, bringing high-performance American V-twin racing into the MotoGP spotlight.
