Kawasaki BCperformance Racing Team reveals 2026 lineup
Kawasaki BCperformance Racing Team has confirmed their two-rider line-up for the 2026 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK). Tom Edwards is the new addition, replacing Olly Simpson, while incumbent Hayden Nelson will start his third season with the Kawasaki-backed team.
Both riders will be competing in ASBK’s Supersport Next Gen class this year, aboard the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R.
Nelson, whose 31 of 42 Australian Supersport Championship starts have been with Kawasaki BCperformance Racing Team, comes into 2026 off the back of a strong 2025 campaign. Fourth in last year’s championship with 206 points, the 18-year-old’s best result was a second-place finish at Phillip Island.
“We had a strong year in 2025, and moving into the Supersport Next Gen class gives us the chance to find more speed from the package,” Nelson said. “I’m excited to keep developing the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R alongside Tom Edwards. Round one can’t come soon enough.”
While Nelson brings youth, Tom Edwards brings experience, domestically and internationally. Along with three seasons in the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship (2018-2020), Edwards spent three seasons in the FIM Supersport World Championship (2022-2024), amassing 46 race starts.
At the national level, Edwards is a proven front-runner in the Australian Supersport Championship, with 2026 to mark his third full year in the category. To date, the 24-year-old’s highlight was back in 2021, when he finished second in the championship.
“I’m really excited to be racing for Kawasaki BCperformance Racing Team,” Edwards said. “I’m looking forward to bringing my World Supersport experience to the program and riding the competitive Ninja ZX-6R package.
“On top of that, I have Hayden as my teammate. He gets faster every season and knows the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R very well, so between the two of us, we are poised for podiums in 2026.”
Kelvin Reilly, Kawasaki BCperformance Racing Team owner and manager, says the 2026 ASBK pairing is a major step forward.
“Signing Tom is a big statement for us,” Reilly enthused. “He’s a proven race winner in ASBK, combined with valuable international experience, and it shows our program is heading in the right direction.
“This season will be his first time racing the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R. Tom has dealt with change and new environments throughout his career, and we are confident he will adapt quickly.
“On the other side of the garage, I am proud to have Hayden back with us to continue building on the 2025 season. Last year he showed solid speed and extraordinary growth as a young racer. This is encouraging heading into the new season and competition category.
“Hayden and Tom will work extremely well together, and it is shaping up to be a strong year for the team.”
Kawasaki BCperformance Racing Team will commence its 2026 ASBK campaign at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on 20–22 February, 2026, alongside the opening round of the FIM Superbike World Championship.
