SHERIDAN, WYOMING – December 10, 2025 – BMW Motorrad Motorsport is cranking up the excitement for U.S. race fans as Chicago-based OrangeCat Racing officially becomes a BMW MOTORRAD MOTORSPORT Team in the 2026 MotoAmerica Superbike season. After three highly successful years in the Stock 1000 class, the privateer squad now moves into North America’s premier Superbike championship with full factory backing and a sharpened rider lineup.
From hungry privateer to factory-backed Superbike contender
OrangeCat Racing’s relationship with BMW began in 2023, when the team first lined up in MotoAmerica’s Stock 1000 class with the BMW M 1000 RR. The results came quickly: over three seasons, OrangeCat riders delivered 10 wins and 33 podiums, including runner-up championship finishes with Kaleb DeKeyrel in 2023 and Jayson Uribe in 2024, plus a 2025 title with Andrew Lee.
That steady climb has now earned the squad something every ambitious team dreams of: official BMW Motorrad Motorsport status and a full-time attack on the Superbike grid. For fans, it means one of the most charismatic new teams in the paddock will be mixing it with the established heavy hitters from the very first green light of 2026.
A rider lineup built for speed and storylines
The 2026 OrangeCat BMW Motorrad Racing Team brings together experience, momentum and serious unfinished business. 2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion Sean Dylan Kelly joins the team after a global journey that includes FIM Moto2 and his first MotoAmerica Superbike win aboard a BMW in 2024. Alongside him, Jayson Uribe returns after an eight-podium 2025 season and third place in the Stock 1000 standings.
Kelly’s résumé – Supersport title, international racing and proven pace on the M 1000 RR – makes him a natural front-running threat as the team moves up. Uribe, who has spent several seasons racing overseas, has already shown how well he gels with OrangeCat, delivering consistent podiums and championship runs since 2024.
“This partnership brings together two organizations united by a passion for performance and racing excellence. The entire OrangeCat team, from the riders to the engineers and mechanics, has been absolutely first class ambassadors for our brand and for the greater motorcycle community. We are excited about our future as we continue showcasing the winning capabilities of the BMW M 1000 RR in North America’s premier Superbike championship.” said Kevin Philips, Head of BMW Motorrad, Americas.
Editorial extra: 3 reasons this move matters for MotoAmerica fans
- A dominant bike, now with full factory firepower
The BMW M 1000 RR has been a global force in 2025, collecting national titles and wins from WorldSBK to the Isle of Man TT. Seeing a proven race winner now fully backed in MotoAmerica Superbike sets the stage for some epic on-track battles. - A team with momentum and personality
OrangeCat Racing isn’t just quick – it’s also known for its adventurous spirit and close connection with fans. That mix of underdog energy and factory status is rare, and it brings a fresh narrative to every race weekend. - Riders with something to prove
Kelly returns from the world stage hungry to fight at the front at home, while Uribe brings grit and consistency after years of building his craft. Together, they give BMW fans two strong reasons to tune in – and to head trackside.
Racing roots, shared ambitions
For OrangeCat Racing, the Superbike step is the next logical adventure. “BMW has been key to our success over the years, and we’re excited about what we can achieve with support from their team,” said Jeff Connors, Team Principal for OrangeCat Racing. “The passion and work ethic BMW Motorrad Motorsport brings to the table day-in and day-out are infectious. We feel more than up to the challenge of Superbike with BMW’s partnership.”
Founding Principal Andrew Sieja underlines how closely the team’s culture matches BMW’s own racing mindset: “I’m super proud of our whole team for continuing to embrace any challenge thrown our way, and BMW has been an outstanding partner for all of us,” he said. “We have a lot in common: from love of the sport, to a sense of adventure and trying new things, to striving for our best in anything we take on.”
With BMW’s global racing success as a backdrop and a fearless team stepping into the spotlight, the 2026 MotoAmerica Superbike season promises tighter battles, bigger stakes and plenty of reasons for fans to wear BMW blue at the track.
Learn more about BMW Motorrad and its high-performance motorcycles at https://www.bmwmotorcycles.com.