Andrea Iannone signs on for Bagger World Cup

The FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup (BWC) has added another rider to the grid, with Andrea Iannone joining the one-make series. A winner in MotoGP and World Superbikes, the 36-year-old Italian will ride for Niti Racing, effective from the Mugello round in late May that’s held in conjunction with MotoGP’s Grand Prix of Italy.

For Iannone, the Mugello BWC round will mark his first official return to the MotoGP paddock since being suspended for a doping offence in 2019. Banned from competition for 18 months by the Court of Arbitration of Sport, an appeal was dismissed, with the ban extended to four years.

Upon being eligible to race again in 2024, Iannone joined the FIM Superbike World Championship with Team GoEleven Ducati, achieving one race win and five additional podiums in his debut season. A further three podiums came in 2025, but he was let go by GoEleven ahead of the 2026 season. An effort to remain in WorldSBK this year with his own ‘Cainam Racing Team’ fell through.

Iannone’s appointment to the Indonesian-based Niti Racing, alongside BWC Round 1 race winner Oscar Gutierrez and Dimas Ekky Pratama, was announced on 5 May. Niti Racing say Iannone will bring top-level experience, natural speed and a bold competitive mindset to the team, adding that they expect the Italian to be an immediate contender for victory.

“I like challenges, especially when they take you out of your comfort zone,” Iannone said. “This is something completely different, and that’s exactly why I said yes. I’m truly excited to begin this new chapter, as I’ve always admired Harley-Davidson and its iconic riders’ community, which plays such an important role in the scene.

“[The Bagger World Cup] is a category that embodies adrenaline, spectacle and a genuine passion for riding and for life. These bikes have a strong personality, you have to respect them, but at the same time you can push them hard. In that sense, we are quite similar, and I think that’s why this project fits me well.

“I’m also approaching this first race without having tested the bike, and with one less test than the others. That reflects my mindset, I embrace challenges and actively look for them.”

Iannone’s debut is scheduled for BWC Round 2, which will be held in conjunction with MotoGP’s Grand Prix of Italy at Mugello on 29-31 May.

“Mugello is the perfect place to start, in front of the Italian fans, on a track I know very well,” Iannone added. “I’m not coming here just to participate. I want to understand the bike quickly and be competitive straight away. Let’s see what we can do.”