During the weekend of MotoGP in Austin, the Indian and Harley will also race in the King of the Baggers: here's why it's one of the most popular categories in the United States.
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Next week, MotoGP will make a stop at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin. A weekend celebrating Liberty Media Corporation's acquisition of 86% of Dorna Sports, but ultimately the local public will care little. He will follow the team with interest track house, very popular in overseas NASCAR and which debuts this year in the top category of two-wheelers, and will encourage Joe Roberts returned to the forefront in Moto2, under the banner of American Racing. However, for Dorna (or Liberty Media, at this stage), there will be a risk: that the spectators, on the same weekend, are interested in the developments on the track of something completely different...
THE KING OF THE BAGGERS WITH MOTOGP
On the sidelines of the GP of the Americas, but which, for some, will almost represent the “ main event » (the main event) of the GP of the Americas, will take place on King of the Baggers. For those who don't know, this is the category of MotoAmerica reserved for « suitcases“, the maxi-cruisers from Harley-Davidson (Road-Glide in particular) and Indian (Challenger), duly prepared to ride at full speed in the craziest turns of the tracks across the Atlantic. A motorcycle philosophy at odds with MotoGP, but an immediate success. Watching the races, it's easy to see why.
🤠 @McWill99 used to race two-strokes in the Grand Prix World Championship, so he knows a thing or two about sliding the rear tire to set up for corner exit. And, even at the age of 59 and while aboard a 600-pound @MissionFoodsUS King Of The Baggers @indianmotocycle, McWill can… pic.twitter.com/zzuSfLXDdb
— MotoAmerica (@MotoAmerica) July 28, 2023
A VERY AMERICAN FORMULA
The King of the Baggers is exactly what American audiences love. In addition to seeing the motorcycles race as closely as possible to their philosophy (but also, and perhaps even more, the Super Hooligans), each race is a spectacle. The drivers, mostly professionals (yes: Harley and Indian are present in 'Factory' in the championship!), we see them fighting and performing acrobatic feats in the saddle. With the side cases (which, materially, are there, but with a purely aesthetic function), they rub the asphalt, handling these two-cylinder beasts weighing (at least) 280 kg and 130 horsepower in crazy balancing acts. Add to that that over the years the Baggers have raced at Laguna Seca, Road Atlanta, Elkhart Lake and Daytona (as recently as last March, in the middle of Bike Week), and the spectacle is guaranteed.
ALMOST AS POPULAR AS MOTOGP IN THE UNITED STATES
The series is contested during certain rounds of MotoAmerica, and its interest often exceeds that of Superbike. The fact that she can " disturb » MotoGP is clearly a provocation, but we can expect that the initiates themselves, during the two scheduled races plus the super-sprint "Dash for Cash" (two laps with the six best riders from qualifying who s face, the winner receiving a check for $5), closely follow the developments of Kyle Wyman, Tyler O'Hara, James Rispoli, Troy Herfoss, Hayden Gillim and Ruben Xaus (himself). Especially since the inimitable sound of the Indian and Harley twin-cylinders will seduce even the most inattentive spectator.
THE FUTURE IN EUROPE
“Shopping suitcases” are a well-established reality in the United States, but they also have a future on the Old Continent. British Superbike promoter MSVR has secured the exclusive right to launch a similar series in Europe in the near future. Perhaps combined with the BSB, it would make motorcycle weekends across the Channel even more exciting...
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Alessio Piana
