After winning the Philippine Superbike Championship (PSBK) in dominant fashion last year, Access Plus Racing will be back to defend its title in 2022. The announcement also confirms the return of Timothy Joseph “T” Alberto who will aim for back-to-back championships and team newcomer Lawrence Macalinao.
TJ Alberto won 10 out of the 12 races to claim the 2021 crown with a race still to spare. He also shattered the lap record of the Clark International Speedway on multiple occasions ending the year with a 1:49.538 best. Now back on this #77 Ducati Panigale V4R, TJ is hoping to take the championship in style once again. The 24-year-old rider is also be doing double duties in 2022 as he splits his time racing in the Philippines and in the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC).
His new teammate will be Lawrence Macalinao who was confirmed by the squad earlier this month. He was 2nd overall in the 2014 PSBK Novice Class and a consistent podium finisher in the 2015 Ducati Cup. Lawrence would move up to the PSBK Intermediate Class in 2018 where he would continue his run of podiums to finish 3rd overall. He brings with him over 10 years riding experience (most of which was spent on a Ducati) with the aim of securing podium finishes, race wins, and the hopefully Intermediate Class championship for Access Plus Racing.
2022 Philippine Superbike Championship Calendar
Round 1 | June 4-5 (Clark International Speedway)
Round 2 | July 2-3 (Batangas Racing Circuit)
Round 3 | August 6-7 (Batangas Racing Circuit)
Round 4 | September 3-4 (Clark International Speedway)
Round 5 | October 1-2 (Batangas Racing Circuit)
Round 6 | November 12-13 (Clark International Speedway)
The 2022 Philippine Superbike Championship returns to a regular 6-round calendar, instead of the compressed 3 double-header weekends last year. It will also revisit the Batangas Racing Circuit which was not used last year.
TJ Alberto, #77: “I’m really excited to start the PSBK season! Coming from a high from an incredible season last year taking the over all title obviously the goal for us is to defend our title. I’m looking forward to see how I’ll go this weekend at Clark. It’s always been a track I’ve enjoyed and one that has suited our Ducati Panigale V4R. Last week we had already gone testing with the team and we are going better already than expected. I’m excited and ready to go!”
Lawrence Macalinao, #26: “I am really excited to be back racing with Ducati, specially now with the V4R. With their championship-winning formula, we’ll be able to bring ourselves closer to the front and fight for the top specially in the intermediate class. The plan is to improve on my performance and bring home the class title for Access Plus Racing. Based on pre-season tests, I’m confident that we can produce the best results this season.”
Toti Alberto: “It’s going to be exciting defending our title especially that we now have a new rider in Access Plus Racing. With Troy away in Europe, we’ve welcomed Lawrence Macalinao into the team. He’ll be competing in both the Expert and Intermediate classes and we’ll be supporting him 100% giving him the best bike possible so he can chase after race wins. It’s going to be a different experience for me this year watching the races from the sidelines, but I can now give my full attention to TJ and Lawrence.”
Access Plus Racing is sponsored by Ducati Philippines, Angkas, Essenza, Frontrow, Katinko, Makati Diamond Residences, Italtrans, Aella, Apex, Extreme Components, Lv8, Macbeth, Ohlins, and STM, with Motoworld and Teagumps.
