Australian rider seals historic title in Austria, dedicates victory to late brother Toby
Motorcycling Australia proudly congratulates Archie McDonald on becoming the inaugural FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup champion, capping an extraordinary season with a measured ride to eighth place in Sunday’s finale at Austria’s Red Bull Ring.
The 20-year-old from Jindera, near Albury, finished the 12-race season with 202 points, nine clear of Spain’s Oscar Gutiérrez, to claim the first-ever Bagger World Cup crown for the Melbourne-based Joe Rascal Racing team.
McDonald’s championship triumph represents the culmination of years of persistence, sacrifice, and an unrelenting pursuit of a career in international motorcycle racing. It also comes in the midst of immense personal tragedy, with Archie losing his older brother Toby earlier this year.
In an emotional post-race interview, McDonald dedicated the title to his brother.
“I dedicate this completely to Toby,” he said. “I love you and miss you so much. But to have him on the back of the bike with me those last few laps was the best extra weight I could have asked for in any race.”
A title built on consistency
McDonald’s path to the title was built on remarkable consistency across the globe. He announced himself with victory in the championship’s very first race at Circuit of the Americas in Texas, winning by almost nine seconds. From there, he never relinquished his position as a championship contender, finishing each of the opening 11 races inside the top five and collecting nine podiums and two victories along the way.
His campaign included standout performances at Silverstone, where he took pole position and a lights-to-flag victory, and a crucial pair of third-place finishes at Aragon that moved him into the championship lead heading into the final round.
Entering Sunday’s decider with a seven-point advantage, McDonald understood exactly what the situation required. Despite discovering he had no rear brake during the race, the Australian kept his composure, avoiding unnecessary risks and securing the points needed to seal the crown.
“I bet no one believes me, but that race I had no rear brake, so I’m very, very lucky I had the point lead from yesterday,” McDonald revealed. “This is a dream come true. This is a goal come true. This is years and years of just setback, setback and blood, sweat and tears put into something so big.”
From Jindera to the world stage
McDonald’s journey to becoming a world champion began in the backyard, riding motorcycles with his brother Toby and encouraged by their father Scott. Five Australian dirt track titles followed before he began his road racing progression.
He finished fourth in the inaugural Oceania Junior Cup in 2019 and developed through Supersport 300 and the Yamaha R3 Cup, overcoming a broken leg in 2021 to return stronger. His European adventure began in 2022 with the European R3 Cup, followed by a fifth-place finish in the FIM JuniorGP Superstock 600 ranks in 2023.
Combining his European program with Australian Supersport appearances, McDonald continued to develop his craft, finishing second overall in the ASBK Supersport Championship in both 2024 and 2025, setting 10 lap records across those two seasons. Earlier this year, he was recognised as one of 32 young athletes awarded a Sports Australia Hall of Fame scholarships.
The opportunity to race the Bagger World Cup came through Joe Rascal Racing, the Melbourne-based Harley-Davidson dealership group led by James Tonna and Barry Fitzpatrick. The team signed McDonald as its first rider, providing him a route into an international championship racing alongside MotoGP.
The transition from a 600cc Supersport machine to a 280kg Harley-Davidson Bagger demanded a completely different approach, from riding position and braking to managing the immense torque. McDonald adapted quickly, demonstrating the versatility that has become a hallmark of his career.
Triumph over adversity
McDonald’s championship success carries profound personal significance. The loss of his brother Toby earlier this year has been an immeasurable challenge, yet Archie chose to honour his brother’s memory through his racing, carrying a tribute to Toby on his Joe Rascal Racing machine and speaking publicly about mental health awareness.
His parents, Scott and Miranda, were in Austria to witness their son’s greatest achievement, having been flown over by Archie for the finale.
Motorcycling Australia CEO Peter Doyle praised McDonald’s achievement.
“Archie’s story is one of extraordinary courage and determination,” Doyle said. “To achieve what he has on the track while navigating such personal heartbreak speaks volumes about his character. He has done Australian motorcycle racing proud, and we congratulate him, his family, and the entire Joe Rascal Racing team on this historic achievement.”
About the FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup
The FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup is the world’s first global racing series dedicated exclusively to high-performance Harley-Davidson bagger motorcycles, competing as a support championship on select MotoGP weekends across North America and Europe. The series features race-prepared Harley-Davidson Road Glide machines producing over 200hp and reaching top speeds of up to 300 km/h.