Access Plus Racing is set to return to the Philippine Superbike Championship (PSBK) in 2026 with Timothy Joseph “TJ” Alberto and younger brother Troy Alberto once again leading the team’s campaign in the top Pro class. After another dominant season last year, the team now enters a new era with the debut of Ducati’s heavily updated 7th-generation Panigale V4.
The latest Italian superbike marks one of the biggest changes in the model’s history, carrying over lessons learned from Ducati’s MotoGP and World Superbike programs.
One of the most notable updates is the switch from Ducati’s signature single-sided swingarm to a new double-sided design aimed at improving handling and rear-end feel. The new Panigale V4 is also 3 kg lighter, features a wheelbase stretched by 16 mm, and receives revised aerodynamics inspired by both the iconic Ducati 916 and the modern Desmosedici GP race bike.
Power comes from the latest version of the 1,103cc Desmosedici Stradale V4 engine, now producing 228 hp with a redline reaching 13,500 rpm.
The team has already completed initial testing at both the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC) and Clark International Speedway (CIS), with early signs proving promising. Despite limited mileage, the new Panigale V4 was already lapping close to last season’s race pace straight out of the box.
For TJ Alberto, the goal in 2026 is clear: defend his crown and chase a 6th consecutive PSBK title. Meanwhile, Troy Alberto enters the season looking to build on his breakthrough 2025 campaign after finishing runner-up in the championship.
The 2026 PSBK calendar returns to a six-round format beginning with the season opener at BRC on May 16/17. The championship will then head to CIS for back-to-back rounds before returning to BRC for another double-header. The season finale will once again take place at CIS in late November.
With a new bike, a refreshed grid, and another championship fight ahead, Access Plus Racing enters 2026 ready to defend its place at the top of Philippine superbike racing.
TJ Alberto, #77: “I’m looking forward to entering my 6th consecutive season in PSBK. It will definitely be a big challenge stepping away from our tried-and-tested machine and transitioning to the new 7th-generation Panigale V4. I’m excited to explore the improvements that come with this bike. So far, our tests in Batangas and Clark have been very fruitful. The new Panigale already feels highly competitive and has put us close to lap-record pace despite having only a few days of testing under our belt.”
Troy Alberto, #69: “I’m really excited to start the new season. I feel like we ended 2025 on a strong note and built a lot of momentum toward the end of the year, so the goal now is to continue that progress and take another step forward in 2026. It’s definitely going to be an interesting challenge adapting to a completely new bike, but so far the signs have been very positive. We believe the new Panigale V4 has even more potential than last year’s machine, and I’m looking forward to growing with it throughout the season.”
Toti Alberto (Team Principal): “We’re very excited heading into the 2026 season with the new 7th-generation Panigale V4. The bike already looks very promising based on our early tests and gives us confidence for the season ahead. At the same time, we expect the competition to be tougher this year with several new riders expected to join the grid. We’re not underestimating anyone, but we believe we have a strong package to fight for another championship.”
Access Plus Racing is sponsored by Ducati Philippines, Shell Advance, Brembo, Öhlins Racing, Sprint Filter, Macbeth, DID Chains, Aella, Motoworld, Capit Performance, LV8 – Elevate, Extreme Components, and Rudy Project.
