TJ Alberto and his younger brother Troy launched Access Plus Racing’s 2024 title defense in the Philippine Superbike Championship (PSBK) in style with a 1-2 finish at the season opener at the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC).
The brothers were busy testing ahead of the season opener to continue the development of their Ducati Panigale V4. It also helped Troy get re-acquainted with the 3.500 km track after spending several seasons competing overseas. While the results were promising, the extreme heat took its toll on TJ who fell ill days before the race weekend.
Pushing through his illness, TJ got his head down in Qualifying and squeezed every ounce of performance out of his #77 Ducati. His blistering 1:33.691 lap was nothing short of a miracle and put the defending 3-time PSBK champion on pole position. Meanwhile, his younger brother Troy also impressed with a 1:34.193 lap, which was good enough for a front-row start in P3.
As the lights turned green in Race 1, both Access Plus Racing riders stormed to the front with TJ leading Troy into Turn 1. Troy then came under intense attack and dropped to P3 on lap 2 as Marvin Mangulabnan on the Aprilia found a way past. But it was short-lived when Troy on the #69 Ducati regained the P2 spot, which he held until the penultimate lap. With only a few corners to go, Mangulabnan made another gutsy move on Troy that saw the younger Alberto cross the finish line in a solid 3rd place while TJ Alberto secured Access Plus Racing’s first win of 2024.
With learnings from the morning race, the team made sure that Race 2 will be a 1-2 finish for Ducati Philippines and Access Plus Racing. The brothers made a quick getaway at the start with TJ again in the lead and Troy in tow. From then on, the pair sailed off in the distance and never looked back. Through Shell Advance’s fully synthetic lubricants that provides ultimate performance and protection under extreme conditions, they went on to secure 1st and 2nd places in dominant fashion with over an 8 secs lead over their nearest rival.
Access Plus Racing aims o repeat their strong performance when the Philippine Superbike Championship (PSBK) returns to the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC) on June ½ for Round 2.
TJ Alberto, #77: “I’m honestly surprised with my results. I really worked hard for this one. I was under the weather at the start of the weekend after testing in extremely hot weather. I came into Friday practice still very weak and sick. But I’m happy to complete the triple this weekend despite all that. This one really took maximum effort out from me and I’m looking forward to doing the next races in full fitness! Good way to start the season still and looking forward to Round 2.”
Troy Alberto, #69: “I had a lot of fun over the weekend racing with the other riders. It was nice to go out in Race 1 and swap paint. Race 2 was much simpler with TJ was pushing the pace at the front, so I was just trying to hang on. I’m happy about the start of the PSBK season finishing 2nd and 3rd , but I’ll be trying harder to beat my teammate in the next race in June.”
Toti Alberto, Team Principal: “Honestly, I was a bit nervous as I was expecting TJ and Troy to race each other and compromise our results. Thankfully, common sense prevailed and they delivered a 1-2 finish for Access Plus Racing at the start of the season. I’m very happy for that and thanking God that TJ was well enough to win.”
Access Plus Racing is sponsored by Ducati Philippines, Shell Advance, DID, Aella, Extreme Components, Macbeth, Motoworld, Sprint Filter, Bremo, and Öhlins Racing.