More than 50 competitors took to the legendary Belgian track on Thursday. In the rain, Lorenzo van Riet (Rangoni Corse) was quickest in the first session before David Pouget took over in the following two sessions. On a still-sodden track on Friday, Nicolas Milan led the way in the morning before Anthony Jurado (Rangoni Corse) set the fastest time in the final session.

Race 1 : Torelli takes third successive win

Nicolas Milan was best in the drizzle on Saturday, taking his first pole of the season by nearly a full second ahead of David Pouget. Gabriele Torelli, Alex Lancellotti (GPA Racing) and Anthony Jurado followed in that order, but the latter incurred a grid penalty for changing cars after an accident in free practice.

On a dry track, the race started after an observation lap behind the safety car. Nicolas Milan held the lead at the green flag in a field that mainly had opted for the slick tyres supplied by Michelin, while Gabriele Torelli overtook David Pouget in front of Alex Lancellotti. Giacomo Trebbi (MC Motortecnica) defended fifth place before losing out to several rivals. Among them, Anthony Jurado took advantage to control of the chase group on lap three.

Gabriele Torelli made his first attack to take the lead on lap four, but Nicolas Milan replied a few corners later. Following close behind, David Pouget briefly got between his two rivals three laps later before a safety car period caused by an incident involving Andreas Stucki (Stucki Motorsport) and Jack Byrne (GPA Racing).

The race resumed for a one-lap sprint, in which Nicolas Milan, Gabriele Torelli and David Pouget arrived three abreast at Les Combes. Despite significant contact, the trifecta remained unchanged until Gabriele Torelli found an opening at the exit of Stavelot. The Italian held position to prevail ahead of David Pouget, who snatched second place from Nicolas Milan on the final straight. Challenger Alex Lancellotti was fourth, followed by Anthony Jurado, Lorenzo van Riet and the first Junior, Thomas Compain (Milan Compétition). Giacomo Trebbi, Nikola Miljkovic (Tempo Racing) and Mattia Lancellotti (Sevenhills Motorsport) completed the top ten, while Rene Steenmetz (AST Competition) was the top Gentleman.

Race 2 : Pouget strikes back

Alex Lancellotti confirmed his fine form in wet conditions on Sunday morning to claim his maiden Clio Cup Series pole ahead of David Pouget and Nicolas Milan. Two other Challengers came into their own as Nikola Miljkovic and Lorenzo van Riet denied Gabriele Torelli a spot in the top five.

The drivers again opted for slick tyres in the race. The field received the green flag after the start behind the safety car. Alex Lancellotti kept the lead until Les Combes, when he made a mistake that dropped him to 12th place in the sequence leading up to the Malmédy corner. Nicolas Milan led from David Pouget, but Gabriele Torelli got the better of his two French rivals before the safety car intervened to evacuate the damaged car of Sebastian Gavazza (Sevenhills Motorsport). After controlling the restart, Gabriele Torelli gave way to Nicolas Milan’s attacks. However, David Pouget took advantage of their duel to get between them before seizing the lead.

The race ended behind the safety car after Knut Eirik Knudsen (TF Performance) and Lucas Cartelle (Milan Compétition) retired. David Pouget sealed his victory ahead of Gabriele Torelli and Nicolas Milan. Nikola Miljkovic celebrated his 29th birthday in fourth place and first among the Challengers. Lorenzo van Riet finished fifth ahead of Aurélien Renet (JSB Compétition). Alex Lancellotti climbed to seventh place, followed by Juniors Jack Byrne, Mauro Polderman (AST Competition) and Thomas Compain. Meanwhile, David Pajot (Vic’Team) won the Gentlemen category after Stephan Polderman (AST Competition) was penalised for his part in the final incident of the race.

CLIO CUP SERIES

Gabriele Torelli and David Pouget shared the spoils in the Clio Cup Series. Always in the top two over the last seven races, the Italian goes into the summer break 57 points clear of Nicolas Milan, twice third in Belgium. Rangoni Corse also dominates the Teams and Challengers rankings thanks to Lorenzo van Riet, class winner on Saturday and second on Sunday behind Nikola Miljkovic. His teammate Damiano Puccetti sees Leonardo Arduini (MC Motortecnica) level on points with him in the Juniors category, thanks to his double podium finish in a category where Mauro Polderman and Jack Byrne won this weekend. Lastly, Mickaël Carrée retains the lead in the Gentlemen category after sharing the honours with Rene Steenmetz.

CLIO CUP ESPAÑA

Starring on the European scene, the Rangoni Corse team also claimed the season’s first title with Damiano Puccetti in Clio Cup España. Beaten by Rene Steenmetz on Saturday, the Italian exacted his revenge on Sunday to mathematically seal the deal with four wins and four second places from eight starts. The season finale in Barcelona (12-14 September) will still be exciting as the Gentlemen crown is still up for grabs, with Rene Steenmetz and Gaël Rostant (GPA Racing) both victorious in Belgium. Andrea Chierichetti (MC Motorsport) now has a one-point lead over Gaël Rostant and Samuel Chaligne (T2CM), who withdrew after a collision in free practice on Friday and to whom the whole Clio Cup family wishes a speedy recovery.

CLIO CUP ITALIA

A double winner this weekend in Clio Cup Italia, Alex Lancellotti put in an excellent performance to take the top spot in the general classification and in the Challengers category ahead of Giacomo Trebbi, twice runner-up at Spa. Anthony Jurado completed the podium on Saturday. The new leader in the Juniors category thanks to his brace of wins in Belgium, Leonardo Arduini joined the rostrum on Sunday. Meanwhile, Cristian Ricciarini (Essecorse) maintained his lead in the Gentlemen category despite victories for Stephan Polderman and David Pajot.

CLIO CUP MID-EUROPE

Spa-Francorchamps hosted round two of Clio Cup Mid-Europe, with Lorenzo van Riet extending his lead with victory on Saturday ahead of Thomas Compain and Nikola Miljkovic. Miljkovic won the following day ahead of the Dutchman and Aurélien Renet (JSB Compétition). Both drivers also shared success in the Challengers category, where Jaroslav ‘Jardier’ Honzík claimed his first class podium in the opening race. Thomas Compain and Jack Byrne each scored a victory in the Juniors category, where the Frenchman now has a 12-point lead over the Irishman and is 14 points clear of Mauro Polderman, who finished runner-up twice this weekend.

The Clio Cup Series now heads into the summer break. Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours will host the return to competition from 23 to 25 August. Clio Cup France and Clio Cup Mid-Europe will also be in action in France. Clio Cup España and Clio Cup Italia will return three weeks later at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Results - Clio Cup Series - Clio Cup España - Clio Cup France - Clio Cup Italia - Clio Cup Mid-Europe