It wasn’t quite the weekend Access Plus Racing had expected for Round 4 of the 2026 Philippine Superbike Championship (PSBK). The team arrived at the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC) prepared to race its 7th-generation Ducati Panigale V4 and hoping for another close fight. Instead, it ended the rain-hit weekend with an even bigger result as Ducati locked out every podium position across the PSBK and Supersport 600 (SS600) races.
Despite plans to give the Panigale V4 its first race outing at BRC, Access Plus Racing ultimately elected to switch back to the lighter Panigale V2 in PSBK as it did during the season opener.
Troy Alberto immediately demonstrated its potential by taking PSBK pole with a 1:37.383 lap, followed by teammate and older brother Timothy Joseph “TJ” Alberto in P2. Josh Tan completed an all-Ducati front row in P3 aboard the Petronas Sprint Racing Team Panigale V4.
Conditions took a dramatic turn on Sunday. TJ suffered a slow start in Race 1 and dropped to P4, while Troy held onto the lead against the more powerful 1000cc machinery. TJ recovered to P3 after the opening lap before a heavy downpour drenched the circuit.
Troy then suffered a bike issue on lap 2 that dropped him down the order. With conditions rapidly deteriorating, officials brought out the red flag after only two laps and eventually decided not to restart the race.
The shortened result handed victory to Tan, with TJ classified 2nd and Troy 3rd to complete the first all-Ducati podium of the day. Ducatis also occupied 4th, 5th, and 7th.
Conditions remained damp for Race 2, but this time Access Plus Racing wasted no time getting to the front. Starting behind pole-sitter Tan, TJ got the holeshot into Turn 1 with Troy immediately following into P2.
The brothers remained nose-to-tail aboard their Panigale V2s and gradually pulled clear of the larger Superbikes. TJ took the chequered flag ahead of Troy for another Access Plus Racing 1–2, while Daniel Delos Reyes finished 3rd to complete another all-Ducati podium.
Access Plus Racing enjoyed an even cleaner weekend in SS600, where Troy and TJ continued their title battle aboard the Panigale V2.
Just 0.005 secs separated the brothers in Qualifying, with Troy taking pole ahead of TJ and Enzo Rivero in P3 for another all-Ducati front row. The same order remained unchanged in both races, including a wet Race 2, giving Troy two victories and TJ two runner-up finishes.
The results capped off an exceptionally strong weekend for Ducati, with the Italian manufacturer occupying every podium position across all four PSBK and SS600 races at BRC.
TJ Alberto, #77: “It was quite a tricky race day with the weather, especially in Race 1 when the heavy rain came and the race had to be stopped after only two laps. Race 2 was much more interesting because we opted for wet tires on a drying track, which probably wasn’t the perfect choice for those conditions. But the V2 is so light that Troy and I were still able to pull away from the 1000cc bikes. I think it really shows that the Panigale V2 can hold its own against the bigger Superbikes.”
Troy Alberto, #69: “There were definitely some ups and downs this weekend, especially with the weather and the bike issue in the first Superbike race. But our pace was strong from the start and taking pole in both classes gave me a lot of confidence. We bounced back with a 1–2 in the second Superbike race, and I’m also very happy to take both Supersport wins and extend the championship lead.”
Toti Alberto (Team Principal): “It was a very special weekend for Ducati. Seeing every podium position in both PSBK and SS600 filled by Ducati riders is something we’re very proud of. We had different riders and teams showing what the Panigale V2 and V4 can do even in very difficult conditions. It’s pro of how competitive the bikes are delivering these kinds of results.”
Access Plus Racing is sponsored by Ducati Philippines, Shell Advance, Brembo, Öhlins Racing, Sprint Filter, DID Chains, Aella, Motoworld, Capit Performance, LV8 – Elevate, Extreme Components, and Safety Jogger.
