The debuting Volkswagen Golf TCR took its maiden win in the TCR International Series in only its second race, as Pol Rosell managed to keep the pole advantage from lights to flag with a perfect and faultless performance.
The Liqui Moly Team Engstler-run car preceded the two Team Craft-Bamboo Lukoil SEAT cars of Pepe Oriola and Jordi Gené who put big pressure throughout the race on Rosell, but unsuccessfully. With three of their representatives on the podium, it was also a triumphant day for Catalan(and Spanish) motor racing.
The best Target Competition SEAT cars and WestCoast Racing Honda cars had a more difficult afternoon. Comini salvaged a ninth after his car got damaged in various incidents, while Belicchi had to stop with mechanical problems. In the Civic camp, Morbidelli fell victim of a mistake that sent him into the gravel, while Kevin Gleason finished the race, in P5.
Mikhail Grachev took 6th, ahead of Lorenzo Veglia and Michela Cerruti, who both made a good race. The final point was for Gabriele Marotta.
Key moments
Grid – Nagy does not start, as his SEAT was not repairable after the accident in Race 1
Start – Rosell takes and excellent start from the pole, while Grachev gets passed by Gené
Lap 1 – Morbidelli, after a poor start, passes Veglia for 9th
Lap 2 – Rosell leads from Gené and Grachev while there is battle for fourth between Belicchi and Comini
Lap 4 – Grachev is under attack from Oriola, while Morbidelli passes Afanasyev, Gleason drops to 9th and Skuz makes an off-track, returning to the pits with front left wheel damage
Lap 5 – Grachev goes wide in Turn 5 and is passed by Oriola and Comini
Lap 6 – Morbidelli attacks Belicchi, but goes sideways in Turn 3 and spins onto the gravel after hitting Comini who drops to 10th
Lap 7 – Rosell is still leading ahead of Gené
Lap 8 – The Ford of Romanini stops along the track, while Cerruti passes Comini
Lap 9 – Oriola is putting the pressure on Gené
Lap 10 – Belicchi seems to have some issues as he slows down and pits
Lap 11 – Gené makes an attempt to overtake Rosell; the latter defends the leadership and Oriola takes the advantage and overtakes Gené
Lap 12 – Comini drives off track and continues despite a flat rear tyre
Lap 13 – Rosell tries to keep at bay a threatening Oriola; Afanasyev and Grachev fight for fourth; Gleason overtakes Grachev for fifth
Lap 14 – Rosell resists and wins from Oriola and Gené
