Andrea Iannone will compete in the Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup starting with the next round, scheduled for Mugello. Iannone’s name had already been linked to the H-D championship several times in recent months, but plans to race with Fabrizio Cecchini’s team fell through. In recent weeks, however, another opportunity has arisen, and so Andrea will race under the Niti Racing team colors.
‘The Maniac’ needs no introduction: throughout his career, he has raced (and won) in 125cc, Moto2, MotoGP, and SBK; now he faces a new challenge aboard the American bikes, and it’s sure to be a lot of fun.
“I like challenges, especially when they take you out of your comfort zone. This is something completely different, and that’s exactly why I said yes - declared Iannone - 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. It’s 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 approching 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. Mugello is the perfect place to start, in front of the Italian fans, on a track I know very well. 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. On a more personal note, I feel a strong connection with Indonesia. I truly appreciate its people and I'm excited to begin this journey together with Niti Racing and this community.”
Angela Khuu, Team Manager at Niti Racing, stated: “After a very positive start to the season in Austin, adding Andrea to our lineup is a natural step to keep building momentum. We already have a strong base with Oscar and Dimas, and bringing in a rider with Andrea’s experience and speed gives us an additional dimension as a team. We are excited to see how quickly he adapts to the bike and to start working together already as Mugello.”
Jeffrey Schuessler, Director of Global Racing Programs at Harley-Davidson, commented: “Bringing a rider like Andrea into the championship is a strong statement about what we are building with the Bagger World Cup. He is a proven race winner at the highest level, with the kind of talent and personality that adds even more energy to the grid. This is exactly the kind of profile we want to attract as the championship continues to grow. Mugello will be a great place to see him start this new chapter on Niti Racing’s third bike, further strengthening an already competitive lineup alongside Oscar Gutiérrez and Dimas Ekky Pratama.”