Access Plus Racing-Ducati Philippines-Essenza Starts Well in Asian Superbike competition

Tricky weather conditions challenged the inaugural ASB1000 (Asian Superbike) class of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) last March 8-10 at the Sepang International Circuit. Access Plus Racing-Ducati Philippines-Essenza, comprised of Filipino TJ Alberto and Swiss-Italian Jonathan Serrapica had a decent showing in the tough  race class.

The ARRC had its Pre-season Test right before the first round. The ASB1000 is currently the series’ highest level of competition and offers a regional platform where riders graduating from their respective national championships can compete. The ASB1000 are using FIM Superstock 1000 regulations with machinery that is equivalent to what is being sold for the road going public.

Alberto and Serrapica are using Ducati Panigale V4 R race bikes provided by Ducati Corse in the series. The Access Plus racing team has been successful and victorious in the Philippine racing scene for more than a decade and now ventures into international racing.

TJ Alberto

Alberto was 9^th in qualifying while Serrapica was 13^th at the starting grid. The two both finished their first ASB1000 race as Alberto crossed the finish line 7^th while Serrapica placed 8^th. Race 1 which had 11 laps saw Alberto and Serrapica’s consistency as other riders have crashed. Race 2 was tricky and challenging at the same time as rain poured, drenching some parts of the Sepang Track. With some parts of the 5.542 racetrack wet and the rest dry, the riders’ skills were challenged. Serrapica impressively moved up to the 9^th position by the second lap but unfortunately slid of the track amidst the rain just as he was just getting close to P7. Serrapica got up and rejoined the race but crashed again and was out of the race with only two laps remaining. Alberto on the other hand, held his own and an overtake to finish in 6^th place was his highlight in the 11-lap Race 2. After a productive first round, Alberto is ranked 6^th in the overall point standings while Serrapica is 11^th. The second round is scheduled on April 25-28 at the Bend Motorsport Park in Australia.

Jonathan Serrapica

Access Plus Racing-Ducati Philippines’ Essenza riders and Team Principal’s thoughts after the first round:

#77 TJ Alberto: “I’m quite happy with our results as I struggled during the two-day pre-season test to break into the top 10, so it was a welcome improvement to gain a few spots. We have a lot still to improve with the bike, but the team did a great job for this first race. I’m looking forward to the next event in Australia now that I have more laps under my belt in the wet and the dry. Thanks to my team Access Plus Racing-Ducati Philippines-Essenza for providing me with a great bike for this race.”

#48 Jonathan Serrapica: “Good way to start the season for Access Plus Racing-Ducati Philippines-Essenza. It was a long week for everyone and I’d to thank the whole team for working so hard to give me and TJ an amazing bike to race. Glad that the team is also happy with my performance even if I went down in the rain. If we continued maybe we could have reached the podium. I’m now fully charged for the next race in Australia!”

Toti Alberto, Team Principal: “Our result for the opening round of the ARRC is an accomplishment considering we only received our Ducati Panigale V4Rs less than a week before the race. We then spent long nights to just get them ready for the official pre-season test on Tuesday and Wednesday. TJ and Jonathan’s performance during the weekend made all our efforts worthwhile and is a testament to Access Plus Racing-Ducati Philippines-Essenza’s abilities as a team.”

Team Access Plus Racing-Ducati Philippines-Essenza is sponsored by Access Plus Group, Ducati Philippines, Essenza, AELLA, Dickies Philippines, Öhlins Philippines, Century Hotel Angeles City, LV8, and Pradera Verde.

With one step at a time, Access Plus Racing-Ducati Philippines-Essenza is sure to gain ground in the high level ASB1000 class of ARRC, proudly carrying the Filipino flag and talent in the international scene. TJ Alberto is one of the top Filipino superbike riders with racing experience not just in the Philippine Superbike Championships but also in the Italian Superbike Championship and European Superstock Championship. Serrapica, meanwhile is a former Malaysian superbike champion.  Team Principal Toti Alberto, TJ’s father, is a champion and prominent figure in Philippine motocross and superbike in the past years.

Good luck Access Plus Racing-Ducati Philippines-Essenza in the remaining rounds of the ASB1000!