Former motocross junior champ TJ Alberto flaunted superb skills, strategy and consistency riding under the heavy afternoon downpour to emerge overall winner in the third leg of the Ducati Cup 2014 held recently at Clark International Speedway in Pampanga.
Years of rigid training under the rain proved beneficial for the 16-year-old Alberto, who upstaged older and more experienced rivals in the Ducati Cup Group 1 race to capture his third straight Novice crown over Lawrence Macalinao and Dan Savino.
The awarding ceremony was staged alongside the launching of Ducati’s newest power machine, the 2014 Monster 1200, held at Tipsy Pig Gastropub in Kapitolyo in Pasig City.
Alberto started second on the grid behind Jussi Hoikka, but grabbed top spot at the start of the race with the fastest lap time of 2:22.674 before completing the five-lap race in 11 minutes and 49.646 seconds.
Alberto checked in 17.429 seconds ahead of Hoikka, who eventually clinched his second Open title.
Vince Mercado and Jordan Gaw settled for runner-up and third place honors, respectively.
Alberto’s father, Toti, placed third overall to rule the Masters class, beating John Defensor and Alvin Dee. Steve Silva, Contributor