Kawasaki BCperformance Racing Team has confirmed a strong two-rider line-up for the 2026 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK), naming Hayden Nelson and Tom Edwards to contest the Supersport Next Gen class aboard the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R. Press: KMA

The Sydney-based outfit enters 2026 building on a solid foundation, with continuity on one side of the garage and proven international experience on the other. Team owner and manager Kelvin Reilly says the pairing represents a significant step forward for the program as it tackles the evolving Supersport Next Gen category.

Nelson returns for his third consecutive season with BCperformance after an impressive 2025 campaign, where the 18-year-old finished fourth overall in the Australian Supersport Championship with 206 points. It was his strongest season to date, highlighted by a second-place finish at Phillip Island, and underlined his steady progression through the national ranks.

Despite his age, Nelson already brings considerable experience to the team. He has made 42 Australian Supersport Championship starts, with 31 of those coming aboard BCperformance machinery. The move into the Supersport Next Gen class in 2026 is seen as an opportunity for further performance from both rider and package.

“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.”

Bryan Staring.

Joining Nelson is 24-year-old Tom Edwards, a rider with a proven domestic record and extensive international experience. The 2026 season will mark Edwards’ third full-time year competing in Australian Supersport, with his standout national result coming in 2021 when he finished second overall in the championship standings.

Edwards arrives at BCperformance following several seasons on the world stage. He competed full-time in the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship from 2018 to 2020 before stepping up to the FIM Supersport World Championship, where he raced across the 2022, 2023 and 2024 seasons. In total, Edwards accumulated 46 race starts at world championship level, experience he now brings back to the ASBK paddock.

“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.”

Hayden Nelson.

The 2026 campaign will also mark Edwards’ first season racing the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R in ASBK competition, but Reilly is confident the transition will be smooth. Edwards will have the advantage of a highly experienced technical structure, led by former ASBK front-runner Bryan Staring as crew chief, alongside race technician Callen Robertson.

Hayden Nelson and Kelvin Reilly.

“I believe the team and I are set for ultimate success this year,” Edwards said. “I am bringing racing experience from World Supersport, and having Bryan Staring in my corner as crew chief is a huge advantage. With Bryan as crew chief and skilled race technician, Callen Robertson, as my mechanic, we have a strong program.”

Tom Edwards.

“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 the 2026 season.”

Reilly says the dual signing reflects the team’s growing ambitions within the ASBK Supersport ranks.

Kelvin Reilly.

“Signing Tom is a big statement for us,” Reilly said. “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.”

“Tom has the first opportunity to familiarise himself at the opening round of the Victorian Road Racing Championship at the end of January. 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. Hayden and Tom will work extremely well together, and it is shaping up to be a strong year for the team.”

Hayden Nelson.

The Kawasaki BCperformance Racing Team will officially commence its 2026 ASBK Supersport Next Gen campaign at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on 20–22 February, supporting the WorldSBK round.

About Hayden Nelson
Age: 18
Hometown: Taree, New South Wales
Hobbies: Running, riding dirt bikes, fishing, cattle farming

Career highlights

– 2016: 65cc Australian Dirt Track Champion

– 2017: 85cc Australian Dirt Track Champion

– 2019: 85cc Australian Supermoto Champion

– 2020: Oceania Junior Cup – 12th

– 2021: Oceania Junior Cup – 6th

– 2022: Australian Supersport 300 Championship – 4th

– 2023: Australian Supersport Championship – 8th

– 2024: Australian Supersport Championship – 7th

– 2025: Australian Supersport Championship – 4th

2026 Australian Superbike Championship Calendar (Confirmed Rounds)

Round 1: February 20–22 – Phillip Island, VIC (WorldSBK)

Round 2: March 27–28 – Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW

Round 3: May 1–3 – The Bend Motorsport Park, SA

Round 4: May 29–31 – Morgan Park Raceway, QLD

Round 5: June 26–28 – Queensland Raceway, QLD

With a blend of youth, experience and technical depth, Kawasaki BCperformance Racing Team enters 2026 positioned as a serious contender in the Supersport Next Gen class.

Share this article