GRAND BEND, ON – Saturday delivered another spectacular day of racing at Grand Bend Motorplex as the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship completed Race One across all national classes on the Round 4 weekend presented by Timmerman Timberworks.
Defending GP Bikes Pro Superbike champion Ben Young returned to the top step of the podium, while Tomas Casas strengthened his OPP Racing Pro Supersport title challenge with an impressive victory in one of the closest races of the day.
Young Returns to Victory Lane in GP Bikes Pro Superbike
After qualifying alongside polesitter David MacKay on Friday, Young wasted little time asserting himself in Saturday's feature, riding his Honda CBR1000RR-R SP to a commanding victory after 20 laps around the fast 2.2 km Grand Bend circuit.
Young crossed the finish line 3.806 seconds clear of MacKay, giving Honda a one-two finish, while Jordan Szoke completed the podium aboard his Kawasaki. BMW rider Zoltan Frast backed up his front-row qualifying performance with a strong fifth-place finish, despite a low-speed crash late in the race while battling with Szoke for the final podium spot.
MacKay got the hole-shot at the start and led the opening laps before Young made his move to take the lead. MacKay remained in contention throughout the race after claiming his first career BS Battery Pole Award on Friday, but Young's pace in the closing stages proved decisive as the defending champion claimed another important victory.
Andrew Van Winkle continued his outstanding rookie Superbike season with a fourth-place finish aboard his Honda, while Kyle Newman once again impressed in sixth after making headlines throughout qualifying. Alex Michel completed the top seven aboard his Kawasaki.
Casas Leads Suzuki Sweep in OPP Racing Pro Supersport
Earlier in the afternoon, the OPP Racing Pro Supersport class produced one of the closest finishes of the weekend.
Tomas Casas edged fellow Suzuki rider Cole Alexander by just 0.235 seconds after an intense 18-lap battle, while Sébastien Tremblay completed an all-Suzuki podium only another half-second behind Alexander.
Matthew Simpson narrowly missed the podium in fourth, with Yamaha rider Spencer Cecckin rounding out the top five. Mackenzie Weil finished sixth ahead of Brad Macrae and Jesse Rupert, while Laurent Lalibert-Girard and Chase Westmoreland completed the top ten.
The victory gives Casas another valuable championship result as the battle for the OPP Racing Pro Supersport title continues to tighten heading into Sunday's Race Two.
Amateur Championships Deliver Close Racing
The AIM Insurance Amateur Superbike class saw Carter Matson claim a convincing Race One victory aboard his Yamaha R1 ahead of Julia Krans, while Baillie Ives rounded out the podium.
The EBC Brakes Amateur Supersport class produced the closest finish of the day, with Braeden Stewart narrowly defeating Baillie Ives by just 0.126 seconds after a thrilling 12-lap battle. Julia Krans added another podium to her impressive Saturday by finishing third, ahead of Jeremy Lazure and Alexis Beaudoin.
Tache, Walker and Alexander Take Support-Class Honours
Saturday's support-class action continued with the Importations Thibault Twins Cup, where JP Tache took Race One honours by more than 14 seconds. Scott Rupert ran a close second early, but an off-track excursion denied him a chance to battle for the win. Gary McKinnon completed an all-Aprilia podium in third.
The Scorpion EXO Ninja ZX-4R Cup featured another strong performance from Jared Walker, who claimed the class victory aboard his Kawasaki ZX-4RR. Jean-Pascal Schroeder finished second, while Jacob Black completed the podium.
Earlier in the afternoon, the Super Sonic Road Race School Lightweight Sportbike class opened its weekend with Lachlan Alexander taking an impressive Race One victory aboard his Kawasaki Ninja 500. Marc Prete crossed the line second after a close battle with Stefan Tanasic, while Toni Sharpless and Sebastian Silva rounded out the top five.
Championship Battles Continue Sunday
With Race One complete across all national classes, attention now shifts to Sunday's finale at Grand Bend Motorplex, where competitors will have one final opportunity to add valuable championship points before the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship heads into the final round of the 2026 season.
