Bradley Smith Set to Compete as Wildcard in FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup at Silverstone

Shapes MotoGP podium finisher to make special appearance at home round aboard dedicated Silverstone livery.

MILWAUKEE, WI (July 7, 2026) — The FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup will add an internationally recognized name to its Silverstone grid, with Bradley Smith entered as a wildcard for the British round held August 7–9 alongside the MotoGP British Grand Prix. Smith’s participation brings a home‑grown star to the championship’s inaugural UK event, offering fresh excitement for British fans, media and the Harley‑Davidson community.

The former MotoGP podium finisher will compete on a second bike fielded by ParkinGO Team in partnership with Harley‑Davidson, alongside the squad’s full‑time Bagger World Cup rider Filippo Rovelli. This move deepens the Harley‑Davidson/ParkinGO collaboration and expands the Italian team to a two‑machine entry for the British round.

To mark the championship’s debut in the United Kingdom, Smith’s machine will carry a dedicated Silverstone livery, pairing an iconic British circuit with one of the nation’s most recognizable motorcycle racers.

Fans can experience the championship up close with the official Harley-Davidson Ticket Packages, which grant access to the dedicated Harley‑Davidson grandstand, the Harley‑Davidson Village, rider autograph sessions, reserved motorcycle parking, gear storage and exclusive hospitality throughout the weekend. Tickets are available now through the official MotoGP ticketing platform.

Jeffrey Schuessler – Director of Global Racing Programs, Harley-Davidson: “Silverstone is the perfect occasion to welcome Bradley into the championship as a wildcard. Having a rider of his caliber competing in front of his home crowd gives British fans someone they immediately recognize and creates an even stronger connection with the event and with the championship itself.”

From a Harley-Davidson perspective, Bradley’s priority remains the MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers championship with our Factory Racing Team, but connecting him with the British Grand Prix and the Silverstone Circuit creates a unique opportunity for us to bring our two racing programs even closer together.

His situation will also be quite unique. While in America he competes as a fully supported Harley-Davidson Factory Racing rider, at Silverstone he will race under the ParkinGO banner and receive exactly the same technical package and support available to every other Bagger World Cup rider and team. That’s an important part of the philosophy of this championship.

This initiative is about much more than simply adding another rider to the grid. It’s an opportunity to connect the British motorcycle community with one of the most historic circuits in Grand Prix racing, while further strengthening the collaboration between Harley-Davidson, MotoGP and the Bagger World Cup teams.”

Bradley Smith: “When the ParkinGO Team and Harley‑Davidson approached me about Silverstone, the decision was easy. This will be my 14th British Grand Prix, and the opportunity to race in front of home fans is always extremely special. I’ve really enjoyed this new adventure with Harley-Davidson Factory Racing in MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers and this wildcard gives me the chance to experience the motorcycle back on the world stage. The Bagger World Cup has already shown to be very competitive, with many of my friends and rivals racing. Silverstone is a circuit I know extremely well and one that produces great racing. There will be a few things to learn at Bagger World Cup, specially the different tyres. But these boys are stepping onto my home turf, so pride is at stake and the battle is on. Racing a Harley-Davidson in front of a home crowd at Silverstone makes this an opportunity too good to ignore. I’m looking forward to seeing you all there with your British Flags.”

Edoardo Rovelli – Team Manager, ParkinGO Team: “Welcoming a rider of Bradley’s caliber into our garage is a great opportunity for the whole team. His experience at the highest levels of motorcycle racing, combined with his current involvement in MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers, brings valuable knowledge and a different perspective that will benefit everyone involved.

For ParkinGO, this project is also a source of pride. Silverstone is an important event for the championship and being entrusted with operating a second entry in collaboration with Harley-Davidson demonstrates the confidence that has been built between all parties since the beginning of the season. We are looking forward to working with Bradley and seeing what we can achieve together over the weekend.”

Bradley Smith is one of Britain’s most accomplished motorcycle racers. Runner-up in the 2009 125cc World Championship and third in the 2011 Moto2 World Championship, he went on to establish himself in MotoGPwhere he competed for eight seasons and claimed multiple podium finishes before joining the Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Team in the MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers championship. Since making the switch to bagger racing, he has consistently established himself among the series’ frontrunners, regularly fighting for podiums and victories.

The Silverstone round will mark the fourth event of the inaugural FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup season and the championship’s first visit to the United Kingdom, giving British fans their first opportunity to experience the Harley-Davidson Village, dedicated grandstand and the championship’s unique open-paddock concept.

About FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup:

The FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup is the first global championship exclusively dedicated to high-performance Harley-Davidson bagger motorcycles, organized by Harley-Davidson in partnership with MotoGP and officially recognized by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). The series is contested at selected international circuits alongside the MotoGP calendar, bringing Harley-Davidson’s iconic machines into a premier global racing environment. The championship combines heritage, technical innovation, and on-track competition, extending the brand’s racing legacy onto the world stage. Learn more on the dedicated FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup page at www.harley-davidson.com.

About Harley-Davidson:

Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Our vision: Building our legend and leading our industry through innovation, evolution and emotion. Our mission: More than building machines, we stand for the timeless pursuit of adventure. Freedom for the soul. Since 1903, Harley-Davidson has defined motorcycle culture with an expanding range of leading-edge, distinctive and customizable motorcycles in addition to riding experiences and exceptional motorcycle accessories, riding gear and apparel. Harley-Davidson Financial Services provides financing, insurance and other programs to help get Harley-Davidson riders on the road. Learn more at www.harley-davidson.com.

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