Twenty year old Rhys Stephenson won the Vernon Cooper Newcomers Trophy and the RST Star of Tomorrow award at TT 2026, becoming the youngest rider in the event’s field this year. Stephenson set a best lap of 114.073mph and finished 24th in the Sportbike race to claim his first bronze replica despite limited track time during race week. He impressed throughout the event with his attitude and his commitment to learning the Mountain Course properly on every single lap.

