Pirelli series: Alberto, 16, stuns Superbikes favorites

The race’s youngest entry turned out to be its fiercest as 16-year-old Troy Alberto topped the opening leg of the 2017 Pirelli Superbikes Series at Batangas Racing Circuit recently.

The Team Ducati ace zoomed to victory from 11th spot on the grid, besting defending champion Marvin Mangulabnan of BMW Motorrad by 1.191 seconds with a time of 15 minutes and 48.056 seconds in the 10-lap final race.

TJ Alberto, Troy’s 18-year-old brother, finished third ahead of former Superbikes champions Raniel Resuello and Dashi Watanabe.

Troy actually won three titles as he also topped the Expert and the Intermediate races.

Ian Mortimer clinched the Superbikes Novice crown while the returning 10-time champion Jolet Jao ruled the Superbikes Masters race. —STEVE SILVA, MOTORSPORTS CONTRIBUTOR