The exciting King Of The Baggers series was given an international audience when it joined the MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas round in Austin, Texas, last weekend. The 620-lb baggers dueled it out on the 3.4-mile, 20-turn COTA road course, with Indian Motorcycle and Harley-Davidson trading victories in front of viewers from all over the globe.
On Friday, the three-lap Mission Challenge sprint saw Indian’s Troy Herfoss take the $5,000 purse, setting up Saturday’s pair of races. Herfoss was able to take the win in Race 1, while Kyle Wyman emerged as the victor in Race 2, setting a new lap record and walking away with the MotoAmerica Mission KOTB points lead. Wyman’s H-D teammate, James Rispoili, nabbed 4th- and 3rd-place finishes to emerge third in the points tally behind Herfoss.
More in the Harley-Davidson press release below.
Find all of American Rider‘s racing coverage here
MILWAUKEE (April 13, 2024) – Harley-Davidson Factory Racing rider Kyle Wyman made his mark at Circuit of the Americas with a dramatic win, a new class track record, and the MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers points lead. Wyman, aboard his race-prepared 2024 Road Glide motorcycle, finished the doubleheader race day with second and first place finishes. His Harley-Davidson Factory Racing teammate, James Rispoli, is third in points after hard-fought fourth and third place finishes.
The MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers series appeared as part of the MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas weekend on the challenging 3.4-mile, 20-turn Circuit of the Americas road course, adding a uniquely American flavor to the event and making many new fans.
The first six-lap race saw Factory Indian rider and pole sitter, Tyler O’Hara, lead a breakaway pack of six bikes, including Wyman and Rispoli, for the first five laps. On the last lap of the race, Wyman made his move, passing O’Hara for the lead. Factory Indian rider Troy Herfoss came with him after fighting his way to the front from as far back as sixth place. Moments later, Herfoss dove below Wyman heading into Turn 15, forcing Wyman wide. Herfoss held on to cross the finish line 0.295 seconds ahead of Wyman with O’Hara 3rd, Rispoli 4th, and RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson rider Hayden Gillim 5th, all separated by less than one second.
Later Saturday afternoon, the second six-lap Mission King Of The Baggers race saw Herfoss and Wyman pass O’Hara on Lap 2 and gradually open a gap over the second group of riders, led by Rispoli. Wyman stalked Herfoss until the last lap before making his move on the brakes going into Turn 1. Wyman then laid down a near perfect lap, setting a new lap record for the class at 2:14.8 and a win by 0.677 seconds.
“I knew I had some pace on the Factory Harley-Davidson Road Glide and methodically moved my way forward,” said Wyman. “I’m so pumped to get this win for Harley-Davidson. It was a really great race; I’m looking forward to Road Atlanta.”
Rispoli enjoyed another successful weekend on the Factory Harley-Davidson team with his third podium finish in four races.
“I am so stoked to be on the podium again,” said Rispoli after Race 2. “There were so many people battling for position, and it was so much work. I tried everything to hang on to 3rd place for my guys who worked so hard this weekend. It’s such a confidence boost for me.”
After four of 18 rounds in the 2024 MotoAmerica Mission King Of The Baggers series, Wyman leads the championship with 95 points. Herfoss is second with 85 points, followed by Rispoli with 61 points, O’Hara with 46 points, and Gillim with 45 points.
Harley-Davidson Factory Racing returns to action April 19-21 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia, during the MotoAmerica Superbikes at Road Atlanta event.
The Mission King Of The Baggers series features race-prepared American V-Twin touring motorcycles. Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Road Glide motorcycles are powered by modified Screamin’ Eagle Milwaukee-Eight 131 Performance Crate Engines. The team bikes also feature upgraded suspension components, including Screamin’ Eagle/Öhlins Remote Reservoir Rear Shocks, plus competition exhaust, race tires and lightweight bodywork.
Harley-Davidson Factory Racing is sponsored by Mission Foods, Rockford Fosgate, Brembo, Öhlins, Protolabs, SYN3 lubricants, and Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts and Accessories.
MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Race Results – Circuit of the Americas Race 1
- Troy Herfoss (Ind) S&S/Indian Motorcycle
- Kyle Wyman (H-D) Harley-Davidson Factory Racing
- Tyler O’Hara (Ind) S&S/Indian Motorcycle
- James Rispoli (H-D) Harley-Davidson Factory Racing
- Hayden Gillim (H-D) RevZilla/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson
- Rocco Landers (H-D) RevZilla/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson
- Bobby Fong (Ind) SDI/Roland Sands Racing
- Cory West (H-D) Saddleman/Harley-Davidson
- Kyle Ohnsorg (Ind) RydFast Racing
- Max Flinders (Ind) Mad Monkey Motorsports
- Travis Wyman (H-D) Saddleman/Harley-Davidson
MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers Race Results – Circuit of the Americas Race 2
- Kyle Wyman (H-D) Harley-Davidson Factory Racing
- Troy Herfoss (Ind) S&S/Indian Motorcycle
- James Rispoli (H-D) Harley-Davidson Factory Racing
- Bobby Fong (Ind) SDI/Roland Sands Racing
- Tyler O’Hara (Ind) S&S/Indian Motorcycle
- Hayden Gillim (H-D) RevZilla/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson
- Rocco Landers (H-D) RevZilla/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson
- Kyle Ohnsorg (Ind) RydFast Racing
- Max Flinders (Ind) Mad Monkey Motorsports
- Cory West (H-D) Saddleman/Harley-Davidson
