27 September 2014
First European success for Mikel Azcona
At the Circuit Paul Ricard, Mikel Azcona (PCRSport) took his first career win in the Eurocup Clio. The Spaniard got the better of pole winner, Eric Trémoulet (Vic’Team) two laps from the end to take his maiden victory against the Frenchman. Englishman Alex Morgan (Rangoni Corse) claimed the final podium place. Fifth place finisher and author of a fine comeback drive, Oscar Nogues (Rangoni Corse) maintains his advantage in the general classification with a 23-point lead from new number two overall, Mikel Azcona.
This afternoon, Eric Trémoulet won the pole on his home circuit, his second of the season, thanks to a lap of 2:28.628. The French driver started ahead of category leader, Oscar Nogues, and Mikel Azcona. Alex Morgan, Facundo Della Motta (Pujolaracing) and Massimiliano Pedalà (Composit Motorsport) followed the leaders.
When the lights went out, Eric Trémoulet staved of the pressure from his rivals, most notably Mikel Azcona. Alex Morgan moved up to third place, while Oscar Nogues fell down the order. Facundo Della Motta and Massimiliano Pedalà followed the leading trio at the conclusion of the opening lap, which also included contact between Ronnie Marchetti (Composit Motorsport) and Olivier Jouffret (Vic’Team).
Eric Trémoulet and Mikel Azcona quickly pulled away, trying to distance themselves from Alex Morgan. Further back, Facundo Della Motta was surprised by Massimiliano Pedalà and Rafael Villanueva (Milan Compétition) before the Argentinean driver answered back. Further back, Oscar Nogues made a collection of passes to move up through the field lap after lap.
With two laps to go Mikel Azcona found an opening and overtook the Frenchman to go on for his first triumph in the Eurocup Clio. Alex Morgan was third ahead of Massimiliano Pedalà, Oscar Nogues and Salvatore Arcarese (Rangoni Corse), who passed Facundo Della Motta on the final straight. Eighth place, René Steenmetz (Pujolaracing) finished in front of wild-card entry Stephan Poldermann (Pujolaracing) and Manuel Leon (SMC Junior Motorsport) at the line.
Quotes
Mikel Azcona: “It was a good race; I got a good start thanks to me quickly getting into Eric Trémoulet’s slipstream. The both of us were able to pull away a little bit from Alex Morgan and I waited for a good opportunity to make the pass. I am thrilled with this first success!”
Eric Trémoulet: “It was a good race because I led just until the penultimate lap. The car was really good, but I had a bit of a tough time readapting to the Michelin tyres in the opening laps as we run with other tyres in the national cup. Alas, Mikel was really fast. I thought I could repass him, but it wasn’t to be and I went on to once again finish second.”
Alex Morgan: “I had a really good start to pick up a position at the first chicane, despite there being a lot of cars around me. The three of us soon pulled away from Pedalà, while my car’s rear axle was nervous. Nevertheless, it was frustrating because I could never get into the slipstream of the leaders.”
Provisional General Classification * : 1. O. Nogues – 93 points, 2. M. Azcona – 70, 3. M. Pedalà – 68, 4. E. Trémoulet – 64, 5. A. Morgan – 37, …
*Subject to confirmation of the results following the technical and sporting verifications
