Archie McDonald Joins Joe Rascal Racing for the 2026 MotoGP Bagger World Cup
Joe Rascal Racing, the new Australian force based in Melbourne, today announced a landmark signing, securing the prodigious talent of Archie McDonald as its first rider for the inaugural 2026 Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup season.
The signing places one of Australia’s brightest young motorcycle stars firmly on the world stage, competing in the new, high-octane global series that will run alongside six premier MotoGP Grand Prix rounds across Europe and North America.
McDonald, known to fans as 'Maddog', is a proven performer, having achieved remarkable results in the ASBK Supersport Championship and the demanding European circuit. At just 19 years old, he brings a blend of raw speed and race maturity that perfectly embodies the challenger spirit of Joe Rascal Racing.
James Tonna, Co-Founder of Joe Rascal Racing, stated, "This is the move that signals our intent. The MotoGP Bagger World Cup is a disruptive, exciting new format, and we needed a rider who is equally disruptive. Archie is pure Australian talent; fast, fearless, and hungry to win. He's the future of this sport, and we are backing him completely to shake up the grid in 2026."
The team, which is an extension of Melbourne’s successful Joe Rascal motorcycle dealerships, is the first Australian team to commit to the new championship. The series features highly-modified, 200+ horsepower Bagger motorcycles, promising some of the most visceral and dramatic V-Twin racing on the MotoGP calendar.
The V-Twin Challenge: Adapting to Bagger Performance
For McDonald, this transition is not just a career step, but a massive technical shift. The Bagger race bikes, based on large-capacity V-Twins, require a completely different approach compared to the lighter, more agile Supersport machines he is used to. It's a true test of adaptability and skill.
"To join an Australian team and step straight into a global championship on the MotoGP stage is a dream come true," McDonald commented. "The Bagger World Cup is going to be wild, and the chance to ride one of these purpose-built machines at world-famous tracks is incredible. I’m really looking forward to getting a feel for these larger, more powerful bikes. The sheer weight and torque demand a complete re-think of line and braking points - it’s a massive challenge I’m embracing."
McDonald also highlighted the unparalleled opportunity to be part of the Grand Prix paddock. "Just being immersed in the atmosphere of the MotoGP is a dream. It’s the pinnacle of two-wheeled racing, and we'll be racing on the same weekends, at the same venues as the world champions. That environment alone will be a huge learning curve and motivator."
Legendary Leadership and Testing
To guide the young Australian through this complex debut, Joe Rascal Racing has brought in a true icon of the sport to take on the role of Team Principal. The details of the Team Principal will be released shortly.
"I can't wait to meet the team principal and start working with him," McDonald said. "He’s a legend, and his knowledge will be invaluable as we develop this new machine. Having someone with his championship pedigree guiding the team is a massive confidence boost as we enter this unique series."
With the Bagger World Cup set to kick off in March at Circuit of The Americas, the team is busy underway testing and building their strategic approach to the championship. Their pre-season calendar is already packed, between travel and testing.
"Our immediate focus is testing and getting used to these larger bikes," McDonald confirmed. "Getting track time will be vital to understand how the bike handles. We need to hit the ground running, and a solid test will set the tone for our entire season."
Go Joe Rascal Fast!
The team’s commitment promises to inject a potent dose of Australian grit into the new global series. Joe Rascal Racing Australia is proud to champion this exciting new era of two-wheeled competition.
Archie McDonald concluded: "Joe Rascal Racing has built something special here in Melbourne, and I'm ready to Go Joe Rascal Fast!"