The reigning Philippine Superbike (PSBK) champion Access Plus Racing is back to defend its title in 2022 with a refreshed rider lineup. Timothy Joseph “TJ” Alberto will be aiming for a repeat and win the championship back-to-back. He’ll then be joined by Lawrence Macalinao who rides the team’s second Ducati Panigale V4R in the Expert and Intermediate classes.
Alberto claimed the 2021 title in dominant fashion, winning 10 out of the 12 races to be crowned champion with a race 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, Alberto is hoping to take thekn championship in style once again. The 24-year-old rider will also be doing double duties in 2022 as he splits his time racing in the Philippines and around the region.
New teammate to Alberto will be Lawrence Macalinao who was confirmed by the squad earlier in the month. He was 2nd overall in the 2014 PSBK Novice Class and a consistent podium finisher in the 2015 Ducati Cup. Macalinao would move up to the PSBK Intermediate Class in 2018 where he would continue his run of podiums to end up 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 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 six-round calendar spread over six-months, instead of the compressed three double-header weekends last year. It will also shuffle races between the Clark International Speedway and the Batangas Racing Circuit which was not visited 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-Okada Manila is sponsored by Okada Manila, Essenza, Macbeth, Öhlins Philippines, AELLA, Lv8, Standard Insurance, and Ducati Philippines.