Access Plus Racing-Okada Manila ready to go back racing in PSBK with third rider

By motoph admin on October 3, 2021

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The race garage of Access Plus Racing-Okada Manila will be an all-family affair this weekend as the Philippine Superbike Championship (PSBK) resumes its 2021 season after an almost four month-long break. Family patriarch Toti Alberto is again joined by his son Timothy Joseph “TJ” Alberto racing onboard identical Ducati Panigale V4Rs. But there will be a third rider for the team this 1st to 3rd of October with TJ’s younger brother Troy Alberto entering a Honda CBR1000RR.

TJ Alberto enjoyed a dominant start in this year’s PSBK, which was his first race on home soil since racing overseas in 2018. Flying the purple-and-white colors of Okada Manila, he scored a hat-trick back in June and claimed a very memorable 2nd place in a frantic photo finish battle. The elder Alberto, on the other hand, was unchallenged in the Masters Class and enjoyed a clean sweep of the top step of the podium on all four occasions.

Both riders have been busy improving the team’s Ducati Panigale V4Rs in preparation for Rounds 3 and 4 at the Clark International Speedway (CIS). Access Plus Racing-Okada Manila is also said to have made significant improvements on an already very capable machine with the goal of further asserting their dominance in the championship.

Troy Alberto will be aiming to add to the team’s tally of trophies and race wins in the Expert Class onboard his Honda CBR1000RR. The 20-year-old is also eager to get back on track as it has been over a year since his last competitive race in the region. Like his older brother TJ, this is going to be Troy’s comeback race in PSBK since his last entry four years ago.

Tightening health protocols back in August forced the PSBK organizers to move the original schedule to its new date in October. Qualifying was held on Friday with TJ taking pole position, Troy lining up in 4th, and Toti in 8th for Race 1 on Saturday morning. Race 2 follows in the afternoon with Races 3 and 4 held on Sunday.

TJ Alberto: “I’m looking forward to this weekend’s races after nearly a four month break. The team has done a great job since our last outing in June to further improve on an already good bike and based on qualifying pace we’re confident we can repeat our success from the opening round. We currently have the points lead and the objective of Access Plus Racing-Okada Manila is to continue to increase the gap in the championship.”

Troy Alberto: “I’m so excited to be racing again this weekend. I haven’t raced in a year and a half and I also wasn’t able to race the last PSBK because of a shoulder injury. It’s going be a fun weekend getting back into it. After being on 250s and 600s since 2018, my aim is to improve as the weekend goes on and hope to see results at the end.”

Toti Alberto: “It brings me a lot of joy to be able to race alongside my sons once again and share our passion together. I’m confident that TJ and Troy are well capable of delivering strong results this weekend and looking forward to share this experience with them. But the family of Access Plus Racing-Okada Manila is more than just the three of us. Every single member of the team is part of our extended family and contributes to all our successes on track.”