Tied for Third in Supersport with Suzuki, Alexander will make full blown 1000cc racer debut at final 2026 Bridgestone CSBK Round
Newly confirmed 2026 Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Champion Ben Young of Collingwood, ON, will have a team-mate this weekend at the final 2026 National at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. Rising star Cole Alexander, currently tied for third in the OPP Racing Pro Supersport middleweight division, will ride Young’s second Van Dolder’s Home Team Honda CBR1000RR-RR at “old Mosport.”
Based in Amaranth, near Orangeville, ON, 19-year-old Alexander is a rising star on the National tour, riding a Suzuki GSX-R750 in the premier support class. That series is headed by two-time class Champ “T.V. Tommy” Casas with 125 points, followed by former Champ Seb Tremblay at a total 112. Tied for third are veteran Matt Simspon (Sousa Suzuki) and Alexander, both with 91 points.
With over 50 points available at the double header finale, all four Pro riders are still in contention for the middleweight crown.
“Cole will be riding last year’s “A” bike under our team’s canopy,” explained Young about his plan to place Cole on yet another front running red Honda Superbike. “We’ll help him as much as we can.
“I asked him, he didn’t approach me,” explained Young of this attention grabbing late 2026 Superbike category development. “I know there are obvious questions, who else I might have asked (to ride the Honda), but I really wanted to help a young guy out. This way a class newcomer gets to ride a Superbike that has already won at C.T.M.P.
“I met their family three years ago when they were racing in Lightweight, and they have a family cottage up in Collingwood, and the family had seen me at our local Mountain Bike races.
“I got to know them, and they are a great family. It reminds me of me and my Dad,” continues Young, who recently ran well at the Suzuka Eight-Hour World Endurance Championship round, joined in his pit box by father Scott.
“I was never given an opportunity like this,” continued the six-time Canadian Number One in the Feature class. “Of course, he will still race his Suzuki in Supersport, you never know what could happen.
“I’m in a positive position, and grateful to have this year’s Championship wrapped up – otherwise, I couldn’t help Cole out. He’s super pumped, it is a really big opportunity.
“There could well be all Hondas up at the front,” continued Young, who is followed in the points standings by fellow CBR racers, class rookie Andrew Van Winkle of Chilliwack, B.C. third with Hamilton, ON’s David MacKay fourth overall.
“There is no pressure for Cole to produce a result; we have no requirements except to have fun, and I think it will help him with the 750 too – it should make him more comfortable with the higher speeds at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.”
Qualifying for the two GP Bikes supported Superbike Feature races at the legendary Grand Prix ten turn, 4-kilometer-long venue takes place on Friday afternoon, August 7, with 18 lap races on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, August 8 and 9.
From a press release
