Image: Foremost Media.

Triple ASBK champion Glenn Allerton has detailed his decision to transfer from Motec to Magneti Marelli electronics on his Superbike Advocates Ducati Panigale V4 R in Sydney, switching to the Italian system just one round into the 2025 season.

Allerton, 44, had been a fixture with BMW through much of his career, but finally found a path to Ducati machinery this year through the newly-formed Superbike Advocates team in a single-rider operation.

The team initially was looking to begin with the title-winning Magneti Marelli package, but availability instead saw the Sydney-based team – which is also introducing a British championship effort next year – commence the season on the alternate Motec option. International electronics specialist Jake Skate also continues to be in Allerton’s corner.

“So originally we actually ordered Magneti Marelli from Ducati Corse, but there was going to be a bit of a wait,” Allerton told CycleOnline. “Instead, we built a Motec bike so that we had the ability to adjust the traction control and engine brake control – build some maps in there so that we could do launch control and stuff.

“During that process, we kind of had conversations with Ducati about where they were at and they said there’s some advantages to Marelli. We were lucky enough that straight after World Superbikes, they supplied us with an ECU and I found a wiring harness – a second-hand one – just to get it on the bike, because the hard part is actually acquiring that to connect it all.

“My initial feeling is that the Marelli system’s well-refined, it’s probably a more similar system to what the BMW had where all the parameters are pretty much already designed to work and you’ve just got to adjust it slightly to get the most out of the package.

“I’m really happy with how the bike feels as far as throttle delivery and engine brake control goes, I feel like it’s a more refined package. I feel like the Motec can get there to the same point, but it requires a lot more testing and time on track. For us, at the moment the goal is to try and be up the front as quick as we can.

“At the start of Friday, we pretty much were with the front group and the bike was working really well, the tyre wear is slightly better, and so we’re going to continue on with the Marelli. With this system, you can barely feel the traction control at work, the launch control is really good, and the bike feels really fast all the time.

“I’m happy with the switch at the moment. We will keep the Motec bike and continue to develop that whenever we’re testing, because there is more room for adjustment on the Motec bike, so we’ll just keep both bikes, keep developing and see where we’re at. At the moment it’s going to be Marelli.”

Allerton completed a brief shakedown at One Raceway in Goulburn prior to this weekend, with the immediate feedback positive, and resulting in the decision to continue with the Magneti Marelli-equipped package this weekend.

“I could instantly feel in the throttle opening, the translation between the throttle and how much power is going into the rear wheel was instantly an improvement,” he added. “My comfort level and the way the bike rolls in between off the roll and on throttle is really nice, so straight away I felt like it’s the right way to go. We’re going to persist with that.”

Of the other front-running V4 Rs in the field, defending champion Josh Waters’ McMartin Racing entry operates an a Magneti Marelli package, while DesmoSport Ducati has made the transition to Motec with Broc Pearson for the 2025 series.

Allerton finished ninth at Phillip Island’s opener with 4-6-DNF scores after encountering technical dramas in the final race. He was fourth-fastest in free practice on Friday in Sydney, but will start out of 11th on the grid tonight following mixed conditions affecting the final qualifying session.