Archie McDonald won the 2026 FIM Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup. Image: Supplied
WARNING: This story contains references about suicide
McDonald left Australia in March to join Joe Rascal Racing in the one-make series.
He enjoyed success immediately, winning the opening race of the season in the United States at Circuit of the Americas.
Just a few weeks later, his brother Toby died by suicide at age 22.
Since then, the Jindera rider has championed mental health awareness causes and continued to ride in honour of his brother.
Five months on, riding at the Grand Prix of Austria at the Red Bull Ring, McDonald clinched the title.
McDonald’s season was underlined by consistency. Across the 12-race season, the 20-year-old took every chequered flag and finished on the podium in nine races.
He was outside the top five only once all year, finishing the final race of the season without a rear brake.
Thanks to a podium in the penultimate race of the season, McDonald came into the season finale with a 21-point advantage.
That meant he needed to finish only 11th or better. Ultimately, he clung on, beating Niti Racing rider Oscar Gutierrez to the title by nine points.
After taking the chequered flag, McDonald was greeted in the run-off at Turn 1 by Moto3 rider Joel Kelso.
McDonald, who was joined by his parents Scott and Miranda in Austria, wept as he paid tribute to his brother.
“I don’t know what to say. I’ve had such an up and down year, winning the first race and then weeks later seeing my brother hanging,” said McDonald.
“It’s not something I ever thought I’d experience – and to say goodbye to him, goodbye to my family, to go overseas and keep training and keep following this dream is such a relief now that it’s paid off.
“I’m so sorry to my family and friends that I left behind in Australia to focus on this goal, and now I’m going to celebrate with them and continue grieving as I put it on hold in the back of my mind this whole time.
“I dedicate this completely to Toby. I love you and miss you so much and I keep my arms wide open for anyone that needs.
“It’s not a normal experience what my family has gone through, but to have him on the back of the bike those last few laps was the best extra weight I could have asked for in any race.
“And I bet no one believes me but that race I had no rear brakes, so I’m very, very lucky I had the points lead from yesterday.
“Like I said, this is a dream come true, this is a goal come true, this is years and years of setbacks and blood sweat and tears into something so big.
“I can’t thank everyone behind the scenes enough, from my manager to my coach to my dad to my family to my friends to the whole Bagger World Cup, and Joe Rascal Racing, I can’t thank them enough.
“It’s an absolute relief and goal that we’ve achieved. Like I said, to my brother Toby, I love you and I miss you. Thank you to everyone.”
Motorcycle Australia CEO Peter Doyle acknowledged McDonald’s achievement.
“Archie’s story is one of extraordinary courage and determination,” Doyle said.
“To achieve what he has on the track while navigating such personal heartbreak speaks volumes about his character.
“He has done Australian motorcycle racing proud, and we congratulate him, his family, and the entire Joe Rascal Racing team on this historic achievement.”