18 October 2014
Nogues wins his second title in style
Spanish drivers starred in this first race in the history of the Eurocup Clio at the Circuito de Jerez. Starting from pole position, Oscar Nogues (Rangoni Corse) won his duel with Mikel Azcona (PCRSport) to clinch the title with his fifth victory of the season. After his championship in 2012, this is the second European crown for the Catalan native, who was discovered in 1999 in a talent search campaigned by Renault Catalonia. France’s Eric Trémoulet (Vic’Team) is still second in the general classification thanks to his third place finish this Saturday.
This morning, Oscar Nogues increased his chances for the crown by taking his second pole position of the year with a time of 2:01.234 ahead of rivals Eric Trémoulet and Mikel Azcona. Alex Morgan (Rangoni Corse) and Massimiliano Pedalà (Composit Motorsport) completed the top five in qualifying;
While he held on to the lead off the start line, Oscar Nogues was overtaken by Mikel Azcona on the opening lap. The Spaniard moved into the lead while his compatriot was passed by Eric Trémoulet at the end of an intense duel. Also in the battle, Alex Morgan and Massimiliano Pedalà completed the top five.
On lap three, Oscar Nogues retook second place from Eric Trémoulet at the Senna chicane. On the following lap, the safety car was deployed following the stoppage on circuit of Salvatore Arcarese (Rangoni Corse) and the exit of Han Hui Lin (Monlau Competicion) who finished his race in the gravel.
Oscar Nogues moved back into the lead just after the restart with an inside passing move on Mikel Azcona at the Curva Dry Sack. The Catalan native pulled away and went on for his fifth success of the year. Mikel Azcona and Eric Trémoulet completed the podium. Alex Morgan was fourth ahead of Massimiliano Pedalà, who won his duel with Manuel Leon (SMC Junior Motorsport). Pablo Martin (SMC Junior Motorsport), Aldo Ponti (Rangoni Corse), Ivan Pulic (Lema Racing Team) and Facundo Della Motta (Pujolaracing) rounded out the top ten.
Quotes
Oscar Nogues: “I am very proud to win this second title in the Eurocup Clio because it is a very competitive category. We race against the best from the national cups and the competitiveness can be felt! Renault is a very important element in my career. I won a selection process to gain funds to compete in the Spanish Mégane Cup in 1999 and since, I have enjoyed one success after another.”
Mikel Azcona: ”It was a very hard fought race. I am thrilled to have led the race in front of Oscar before the safety car. This second place is a little like a victory because we came her to take second place in the general classification and we have scored big points heading to tomorrow.”
Eric Trémoulet: “At the beginning of the season, the objective was to win the title. Today, like how it has been this season, we saw that while we have the pace in qualifying, we are missing a bit of performance in the race. The battle for second place will be tight, in as much as Pedalà isn’t far behind. I still hope to score a victory!”
Provisional General Classification * : 1. O. Nogues – 143 points, 2. E. Trémoulet – 97, 3. M. Azcona – 96, 4. M. Azcona – 90, 5. A. Morgan – 49, …
*Subject to confirmation of the results following the technical and sporting verifications.
