- Rogan Chandler leads Superbike standings after four wins in two rounds.
- Four-way title fight brewing between Chandler, Hoogenboezem, Durning and Finch.
- Hunter Charlett dominates junior ranks with back-to-back clean sweeps.
The 2026 Star Insure New Zealand Superbike Championship has reached its halfway stage — and the title battles are intensifying across every class. Pics: ASP
With two rounds complete, M1 Motorsport BMW rider Rogan Chandler sits firmly at the top of the Superbike standings after four race wins across Invercargill and Christchurch. But while the points suggest control, the reality on track has been anything but comfortable.
Superbike: Four-Way War at the Front
Chandler executed a dominant clean sweep in Invercargill, adding fastest laps to his tally, and the week prior secured the prestigious NZ Superbike Grand Prix title in Christchurch.
However, the racing spectacle has been defined by a fierce four-way battle at the front. KMD Yamaha’s Al Hoogenboezem, The Dentists BMW rider Luca Durning, and fellow KMD Yamaha pilot Dale Finch have all featured prominently in the fight.
The margins have been tight. The aggression controlled. And the championship is far from settled as the series heads north for Round Three at MotoFest, Hampton Downs, followed by Taupō Motorsport Park.
Chandler may lead, but complacency isn’t an option.
600 Supersport: Lewis Perfect So Far
In 600 Supersport, Jake Lewis (KMD Yamaha) has delivered the perfect start — pole positions and clean sweeps across both rounds.
But keeping the pressure on are a bunch of chargers, including Ashton Hughes (Scott Structural Triumph), Seth Devereux (DevroTech Kawasaki), Haydn Fordyce (Elevate Yamaha), Karl Hooper (CH Automotive Ducati) and Jesse Stroud (KMD Yamaha)
Lewis heads back to Australia between rounds, but returns to defend a commanding points lead.
Junior Classes: Hunter Charlett on Fire
One of the standout stories of the season so far is 15-year-old Hunter Charlett.
The Christchurch teenager repeated his Christchurch heroics in Invercargill, securing two pole positions and three wins in both the 150 Supersport and 300 Supersport classes.
In 150 Supersport, Ryder Chamberlain pushed him hard and came close to his first national victory.
In 300 Supersport, the chasing pack remains tightly bunched behind Charlett. Diego Petrucci, Alvin Wu, Jakob Henderson, Chris Reynolds and Harriet Grace are all in the mix.
Sportbike & ProTwin Drama
A start-line accident in Invercargill cut short the Sportbike and ProTwin programme, with the final race declared void.
Prior to that, Zak Fuller (Blue Wing Honda) and Tyler King (AVA NZ Aprilia) shared wins, with Fuller maintaining a healthy points advantage heading into Round Three.
In ProTwin, veteran Dennis Charlett continues to demonstrate that experience counts. He leads the standings comfortably ahead of Azlan Blackwell, Marcus Thompson and Vaughan Maine.
Sidecars: The Taylor Brothers Lead
Spike and Bubba Taylor (LCR Suzuki) top the Sidecar standings, though Barry and Dave Smith (LCR Kawasaki) made inroads last weekend.
Phillip Law and Angus Ravenwood (Windle BMW) and Burt Wolland and Vaughan Maine (LCR Suzuki) remain firmly in contention as the championship momentum builds.
Provisional Points standings after two rounds – subject to official confirmation
Superbike
1: Rogan Chandler 133 points
2: Al Hoogenboezem 114
3: Luca Durning 108
4: Dale Finch 76
5: James Hoogenboezem 64
600 Supersport
1: Jake Lewis 152 points
2: Ashton Hughes 109
=3: James Fordyce 75
=3: Seth Devereux 75
5: Karl Hooper 65
300 Supersport
1: Hunter Charlett 151 points
=2: Diego Petrucci 71
=2: Alvin Wu 71
4: Jakob Henderson 68
5: Harriet Grace 64
Sportbike
1: Zak Fuller 117 points
2: Tyler King 81
3: Luke Ryder 74
4: Josh Goddard 65
5: Nixon Frost 63
ProTwin
1: Dennis Charlett 122 points
2: Azlan Blackwell 82
3: Marcus Thompson 81
4: Vaughan Maine 70
5: Megan Kemp 48
150 Supersport
1: Hunter Charlett 152 points
2: Ryder Chamberlain 120
3: Billy Macrae 96
4: Sam Mabey 74
5: Isabelle Smith 69
Sidecars
1: Spike & Bubba Taylor 129 points
2: Barry & Dave Smith 112
3: Phillip Law & Angus Ravenwood 101
4: Burt Wolland & Vaughan Maine 91 5: Dave McArthur & James Williams 63
