The most dominant team in recent Philippine Superbike Championship (PSBK) history is aiming to score a hat-trick in 2023. Access Plus Racing has confirmed Timothy Joseph “TJ” Alberto and Lawrence Macalinao for the upcoming season with a new weapon, the lighter, smarter, and faster 2023-spec Ducati Panigale V4 R and V4 S.
TJ will be chasing after a 3rd consecutive Overall and Expert Class PSBK title. His new #77 Panigale V4 R is the closest ever production model to a competition WorldSBK bike. The most prominent change is the new 998 cc Desmosedici Stradale R that, when fitted with an Akrapovič exhaust and use a new performance lubricant developed by Shell Advance Motor Oils, delivers a maximum 240.5 horsepower.
Revised gear ratios, a new dry clutch, and an updated engine brake likewise aid its usability on track. There are also new suspension components and aerodynamic package that allows the 2023-spec Panigale V4 R to take on corners with even greater confidence.
Rejoining the team is Lawrence Macalinao who has been called up again after an impressive debut season in 2022. He claimed 5 wins and 6 podium finishes in total to end up 2nd in the Intermediate Class championship. This year, he will also get a brand new #26 Ducati Panigale V4 S for his class title bid.
Philippine Superbike Championship 2023 Calendar
Round 1 | May 6-7 (Batangas Racing Circuit)
Round 2 | June 3-4 (Batangas Racing Circuit)
Round 3 | July 1-2 (Clark International Speedway)
Round 4 | August 5-6 (Clark International Speedway)
Round 5 | September 2-3 (Batangas Racing Circuit)
Round 6 | October 14-15 (Clark International Speedway)
The 6-round calendar kicks off on the 6th of May at the Batangas Racing Circuit. It will then shuffle to-and-from the Clark International Speedway ’til the season finale on the 14th of October 2023.
TJ Alberto, #77: “Like last year, the goal is to defend the title and win it for a third year in a row. We’re also looking forward to racing the new 2023 Panigale V4 R and make the most out of the upgrades from Ducati. Access Plus Racing has some new partners this year and I’m excited to show them what the team is all about and make them proud. Our focus is always to improve on our own performance, chase after race wins, and hopefully get another great year in 2023.”
Lawrence Macalinao, #26: “I’m grateful for this opportunity to race again with Access Plus Racing. We enjoyed good results last year and I believe that we can improve on them even further in 2023. My goal is to improve my performance and deliver strong results enough to capture the Intermediate Class title. It’s also my personal goal to get close to the Expert Class riders and match their pace. Really thankful to the people behind Access Plus Racing, Ducati Philippines, and the Alberto family.”
Toti Alberto: “It’s going to be a very exciting season in PSBK. We’re going for a hat-trick in the Overall and Expert Class championship with TJ and aiming to claim the Intermediate Class title with Lawrence. The team is also happy to get our hands on the latest 2023-spec Panigale V4 R and V4 S, which will greatly boost our performance on track. The formula we’ve been using in the last few years has been successful and we’ll just build upon on that. Thanking God for making all of this possible and hope to have. another great year in 2023.”
Access Plus Racing is sponsored by Ducati Philippines, Angkas, Shell Advance Motorcycle Oils, Frontrow, Makati Diamond Residences, Katinko Oil and Ointment, Macbeth, Aella, LV8 Elevate, Extreme Components, STM, and Öhlins Racing.
