Ducati riders take control of the Philippine Superbike and Pirelli Cup class podiums at BRC

By motoph admin on May 18, 2023

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Multiple race wins and podium finishes for Ducati during the season opener

It was a sea of red at the 2023 season opener of the Philippine Superbike Championship (PSBK) and Pirelli Cup as Ducati riders flooded the podiums of both events. The brand enjoyed a dominant weekend at the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC) last 6^th and 7^th of May with a number of race wins and class podiums scored for the Italian marque.

Timothy Joseph “TJ” Alberto and Lawrence Macalinao lead the way for Ducati as they delivered perfect results in PSBK. The pair were unchallenged as they began their title defense this year starting with two pole positions with Alberto setting a new personal best around the 3.500 km track during Qualifying.,

More photos of TJ Alberto here

More photos of Lawrence Macalinao here
Race 1 was a dream result for both Access Plus Racing riders. Alberto went on to score 1^st place in Pro and Macalinao doing the same in the Expert Class onboard their Panigale V4 R and Panigale V4 S with a huge lead ahead of the competition. The duo were again at the front in Race 2, enjoying another lights-to-flag victory in both classes and secure full 50 championship points.

There were two other riders on the PSBK grid that also took home podium finishes for Ducati. Josh Tan entered a Panigale V4 in the Intermediate, Novice, and Master Classes with good results. His efforts were rewarded with four class wins, two podiums, and a remarkable Top 5 finish in Race 2 crossing the finish just behind Macalinao. His fellow Ducati rider Lorenz Villanueva likewise brought home trophies in the Intermediate and Novice Classes with his own Panigale V4.

Apart from the national series, a mixture of sport, sport naked, and supermoto race bikes also provided Ducati Philippines a number of accolades in the Pirelli Cup

Justin Guce and Jan Timbol where the quickest riders in the group and lead the way in the Super A Class. Guce who happens to be the brand’s newest recruit was a natural on his Panigale V4 and set the fastest time in Qualifying. Racing on slick tires in mixed weather conditions proved to be a bit of a challenge, but Guce skillfully kept his Ducati in control to finish 2^nd in Race 1 with Timbol crossing the line not too far behind in 3^rd. The pair would then switch positions in Race 2 to secure four podium finishes for Ducati in Super A.

Last year’s Ducati Cup Sportsbike Sub1000 champion Jade Regalario decided to move up to the Pirelli Cup in 2023 and take on the other brands. In a span of five months, he had to train hard as he switched from a Panigale V2 to a Panigale V4. All his hard work and training courtesy of Tofu Track Riding Clinic eventually paid off as he scored two 1^st place finishes in the Rookie Class.

Another pair of new Ducatis likewise proved the brand’s performance on track. Ric Cruz with his Streetfighter V4S and Pong Lacson with his Hypermotard SP had very little practice before the race weekend, but both still managed to excel in the Naked Class. Cruz also shared that he had to adjust from riding a sport bike last year to a naked bike in 2023 and still won both races on his first official competitive outing with Ducati. Lacson, on the other hand, completed the podium for the team with his two 2^nd place finishes.

It was a welcome surprise to see Alvin Pullon enter the event with his Panigale V4 S. With no prior track or race experience in BRC, Pullon arrived on Friday to practice and only decided to join the Heavyweight B Class on the very same day. He was then quickest in his class during Qualifying on Saturday and enjoyed a 2^nd and 1^st place finish on Sunday. Aside from riding a very capable Panigale V4 S, he shared that the support he received from Ducati Philippines encouraged him to perform well.

Toti Alberto: “I’m very happy to see the brand of Ducati excel in the races. TJ and Lawrence have been exceptional to deliver a perfect weekend for Access Plus Racing. It’s also not enough that only our team in Philippine Superbike wins. Ducati Philippines also puts importance on its customers who take the brand racing. We are very proud of the achievements of Josh, Lorenz, Justin, Jan, Jade, Ric, Pong, and Alvin as well all our riders in the Ducati Cup and I’d like to congratulate them all. The brand also prides itself for providing world class support on the race tracks, giving Ducati riders the best performance and experience possible.”