Simpson switches to Kawasaki for 2025 Supersport title
South Australian Olly Simpson has joined the BCperformance Kawasaki team to contest the 2025 Australian Supersport Championship.
After a recent two-day test at Phillip Island aboard the team’s ZX-6R, the 27-year-old has decided to make the switch from Yamaha machinery as he chases an elusive maiden Supersport title after finishing second and third over the past two seasons.
Simpson’s teammate will be teenager Hayden Nelson, who continues with BCperformance after finishing seventh overall in 2024.
The arrival of Simpson completes an unusual pre-season for BCperformance Kawasaki, which announced the signing of Tom Bramich in early January before the two parties parted ways not long after.
The team then sought out Simpson, whose competitive instincts, tenacity and natural talent could see Kawasaki return to the sharp end of the Supersport field on a regular basis. Kawasaki’s only three Australian Supersport titles came in 1996, 1998 and 1999, courtesy of Kevin Curtain, Damon Buckmaster and Andrew Pitt respectively.
Simpson has recorded three wins from 33 starts in the Australian Supersport Championship, as well as scoring 10 round podium finishes.
(L to R) Hayden Nelson, BCperformance team manager Kelvin Reilly and Olly Simpson
The Philip Island Supersport season opener at Phillip Island from February 21-23 has star power from all angles, including the two dominant riders from the tail end of 2024, Archie McDonald and Jack Mahaffy, as well as Nelson, Bramich, Jake Farnsworth, Cameron Swain, Declan van Rosmalen, Glenn Nelson and two well credentialed rookies: reigning Race and Road Supersport 300 champion Joshua Newman and Will Nassif.
Japanese rider Shinya Makami will also be in action.
Round one of the 2025 mi-bike Motorcycle Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) will also include the SW-Motech Superbike and Race and Road Supersport 300 classes.
To purchase tickets for the combined ASBK and WorldSBK event, click here.
Images: Russell Colvin
