Alberto rides 2020 Panigale V2 in Manila for the first time

International Ducati Superbike Racer TJ Alberto shares his impressions after his first ride on Philippine roads.

Last October 2020 in Rimini, Italy, Ducati premiered to the global media its 2020 model line-up. After a full day of presentations and product inspections, there were two bikes that really stood out and became the stars of the day among the international journalists.

These were the 2020 Ducati Streetfighter V4 and the new 2020 “baby” Panigale V2.

The latest baby Panigale looks more exotic and more premium than the 959 with the addition of a new single-sided swingarm and bodywork that is closely based on the Panigale V4. It also has a full color TFT dash previously available only on the bigger Panigales.

Alberto has spent all of his domestic, Italian, European and Asian Superbike racing exclusively on Ducati Panigales. So he is one of the best persons to give an insight on this new Panigale.

“Rode the new Panigale V2 yesterday around the block. It’s always an enjoyable experience to ride the smaller engine Ducati superbikes coming from my 1000cc full blown race bike. I only spent a few minutes riding the bike but I immediately noticed the new ergonomics on the bike bringing a more comfortable seating position. Ducati has also changed the pegs and handlebar position for a more comfortable but still sporty riding style. I quite enjoyed my ride, ” Alberto said.

The Panigale V2 is still powered by the 955 cc Superquadro V-twin motor, which outputs 155 hp, but it’s now Euro-5 compliant thanks to a new exhaust and ECU mapping. Like any modern topline liter superbike available on the market, the Panigale V2 now also has new electronics in the Bosch IMU and Cornering ABS, a new up and down quickshifter as well as traction, wheelie and engine brake controls.

“I was able to open up the bike a bit more and was happy to see the V-twin torque is present and it’s quite substantial but still manageable. This bike will surely be a great one for all-around use, be it on the city, up the mountains or on the track. Ducati has also changed the style to more closely resemble the bigger V4 with new fairings,a single-sided swingarm and a shotgun style exhaust to keep the look fresh for 2020! Overall it’s a great bike and I can’t wait for more opportunities to ride this one!”

TJ Alberto is the first Filipino to compete in the FIM SBK Championships in 2018. He raced in the Stock1000 class using a Corse supported Panigale superbike under Team MotoCorsa. A year before that, he competed in the Italian Superbike Championships and also spent a couple of years in the PSBK.

He was also the first Filipino to be invited by Valentino Rossi in his VR46 Camp in 2018.

For 2019, he and Ducati switched to the popular Asia Road Racing Championship for the new Superbike 1000 class with his father’s team Access Plus Racing. He will continue to race in the ARRC for 2020 for Okada Manila-Access Plus Racing-Ducati Philippines.

To read our interview of him before his Stock1000 campaign click here:
TJ Alberto Takes the World Stage

To know more about the 2020 World Premier Click here: 2020 World Ducati Premiere

You can follow TJ Alberto at his Facebook Page HERE and on his website TJAlberto.com

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Some photos from TJ Alberto, Toti Alberto and ARRC